C H E S 



Missionary 



Societies 



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HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



Woman's Missionary Societies 



AMERICA AND ENGLAND. 



V 



INTRODUCTION BY MISS ISABEL HART, OF BALTIMORE. 




EDITED AND PUBLISHED 
By Mrs. L. H. Daggett, 287 Bunker Hill Street, 

BOSTON. 



Copyright. 
MRS. L. H. DAGGETT. 

1879. 



Copyright. 

MRS. L. H. DAGGETT. 

1883. 



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The Library 

Ok CoNGRE^ 
WASBIMOTOH 



TO THE MEMORY OF 



THE FOUNDER, FIRST PRESIDENT AND FIRM SUPPORT OF 

T£rE WOMAN*S UNION MISSIONART SOCIETT, 

who^ in thought^ love^ a7td labor ^ abounded in every good 

word and work ; whom we regard as the highest rep' 

resent at ive type of the Christian womanhood 

demanded and developed by the activi- . 

ties of the nineteenth century / 

AND TO THE MEMORY OF 

M^. WW^ J. piiE, 

THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF 

THE PHILA, BRANCH WOMAN'S UNION MI SSI ONART SOCIETT, 

the able exponent of Wonian^s best rights — to culture and 

service — the beautiful illustration of her truest gifts 

and highest graces ; the conceiver and earnest ad^ 

vocate of Woman^s Medical Missionary work / 

this record of Woman^s Missionary work is 



" Qlve Tier of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise 
her in the gates, '^ 



CONTENTS. 



PAGB 

Introduction • • • • • • 7 

Woman's Baptist Missionary Society . 13 

Woman's Baptist Missionary Society of the West • . • * • 33 

Woman's Baptist Foreign Missionary Society of the Pacific • . . 42 

Free Baptist Woman's Missionary Society 45 

The Woman's Board of Missions (Congregational) ..... 49 

Woman's Board of Missions of the Interior (Congregational) ... 66 

Woman's Board of Missions of the Pacific (Congregational) ... 72 

Woman's Board of Foreign Missions (Dutch Reformed) .... 75 

The Christian Woman's Board of Missions (Disciples) .... 79 

Woman's Auxiliary (Episcopal) 86 

Woman's Missionary Society (Evangelical Lutheran) ~ - .... 88 

^Female Missionary Society (Methodist Episcopal) 95 

Xadies' China Missionary Society (Methodist Episcopal) .... 100 

Woman's Foreign Missionary Society (Methodist Episcopal) • . . 109 

^Woman's Missionary Society of the Pacific Coast (Methodist Episcopal) . 136 

Woman's Missionary Society (Methodist Episcopal South) . . . 142 

/The Ladies' Wesleyan Missionary Association (Methodist Wesleyan) . 150 

^Woman's Missionary Society (Methodist Protestant) . , . . 154 

Ladies' Board of Missions (Presbyterian) 157 

Woman's Foreign Missionary Society (Presbyterian) . . . . 162 

Woman's Presbyterian Board of Missions for the Northwest (Presbyterian), 169 

Woman's Board of Foreign Missions (Cumberland Presbyterian) . • 174 

Woman's Missionary Society (United Brethren in Christ) . . . 177 

Society for Promoting Female Education in the East (Undenominational) . 182 

Woman's Union Missionary Society (Undenominational) .... 194 

Summary of Statistics . . . . . • • . . . 204 

Periodicals of Woman's Missionary Societies 205 



INTRODUCTION. 



Manifestly, the chief purpose and work of the Christian 
church is to be about its Father's business in recovering to him 
the lost allegiance of the race. Only as we have some compre- 
hension of the magnitude and some conviction of the importance 
of this work, — only as we gauge it from the height of God's love 
to the depth of man's need, — through all its manifold relations, 
out, on, into the illimitable, unspeakable future, do we realize 
that for its completion there must be the effectual working in its 
measure of every part, the development and exercise of every 
force. Manhood and womanhood must each bring its distinc- 
tive offerings as of old, in the typical tabernacle and temple, be- 
fore throughout the whole earth shall arise an holy temple unto 
the Lord. The psean of praise is to be universal, but the harmo- 
ny will not be complete until there be added to the deep bass and 
strong tenor, the trill of the treble and the softness of the alto. 

Two-thirds of the Christian church, having this work in 
hand, are women, and few questions are better worth considering, 
how all that is on her, all that is distinctively, pecularly feminine, 
may be wrought into this grand consummation, to accomplish 
which Christ came, and for which he waits, expecting until his 
enemies be made his footstool. 

The interest of this problem is only equalled by its import- 

7 



8 INTRODUCTION. 

ance. How may a woman help Christ's kingdom come? Is 
there any spring in the machinery which only her fingers can 
touch and move ? Are there any crooked or narrow places where 
only her feet can travel, — any rough spots that only her touch 
may smooth, — any low levels which only her hands can raise, — 
any recesses of sin or sorrow where only her voice can be heard ? 
Then, from her Master she hears her call, and from him receives 
her commission. The full answer to these queries, and the clear 
solution of this problem, comes to us only in the light of the nine- 
teenth century. 

This has well been called the Missionary epoch of the Church. 
In it she has heard the voice of her Lord crying, '' Awake, awake, 
put on thy strength, O Zion, put on thy beautiful garments, O 
Jerusalem." In it almost all the great organized aggressive agen- 
cies of the church have had birth, — the Missionary, the Bible, 
the Tract, the Sabbath-School cause, have assumed their magnifi- 
cent proportions and are wielding their tremendous powers. The 
century had about attained its meridian when a new want is felt 
among these agencies, and in response thereto a new voice is 
heard, — a still small voice, — yet none the less its whispers may 
reach where thunder tones might fail, — the woman's missionary 
movement appears. Like its Lord, " it doth not strive nor cry, 
neither shall its voice be heard in the street." Like the kingdom 
of heaven, it cometh without observation. Like all movements 
born from above, it came in the fulness of time. The Spirit 
prompted, and Providence prepared the way for it. The fields 
were just right for this sowing ; the harvest was just ripe for these 
reapers ; the world was just read}^ and reaching out for this agen- 
cy. The 'missionary work had come to a point where it must 
have this help. The march of civilization had broken up the fal- 
low ground, and gospel seed as dropped from pulpit and press 



^ INTRODUCTION. g 

had fallen into receptive and responsive soil. Yet the vsromen sit 
in darkness and silence and chains. No man's presence may peer 
into that darkness — no man's voice break that silence — no man's 
hand loose those chains. So, while point after point was gained, 
and battlement after battlement was won, the citadel, — the home 
where life is generated and character formed, and destiny shaped, 
— was intact and unapproachable. Evidently, some new factors 
are to be employed, some new forces exerted. Some key must 
be found which shall fit in the lock that is barring out Christ from 
the homes of heathendom. It avails not much to purify the 
streams if we may not touch the fountain. And womanhood is 
everyw^iere, under all conditions, in all civilizations, the fountain 
of life and influence. Who will, who can, teach, rescue, renew, 
raise, the women of heathendom ? Then dowiz goes heathen- 
dom and up the family, the community, the civilization, the coun- 
try, the race! That the momentous question to be answered, 
and these the tremendous issues at stake. These various wo- 
men's missionary movements the practical response, the agencies 
God is employing in answering these questions. 

For with him the work to be done and the workers are never 
far apart — somewhere the supply will be found near the de- 
mand ; where there is hungering for any good thing, the filling 
will follow. 

Contemporaneously, there were two awakenings, — one in 
the heathen, the other in the Christian w^orld, and the one w^as the 
complement of the other. There was an awakening to want of 
mind food, of soul food, of a better home life as home life only 
can be, with the home centre — woman — true and good and wise ; 
an awakening to the falsity or failure of their own creeds, and a 
crying out for a more satisfying portion. Here the awakening of 
womanhood was almost as marked. The inanities, the super- 



lO INTRODUCTION. 



ficiallties, the conventionalities, of ordinary life, would not satisfy. 
She claimed higher culture — she wanted specific training — she 
knocked at the door of venerable and of progressive colleges for 
admission — she peered into science — she studied and practised 
the arts — she wanted more room to see, to breathe, to range — 
she asked for wider opportunities, for better work — she entered 
into the various activities and avocations of life. Evidently, she felt 
stirring within her the pulses of a new, yearning, bursting life, 
that must find expression in richer foliage, sweeter fragrance, 
riper fruitage, than she had hitherto borne. What all this meant, 
where all this tended, we did not know, we do not know now 
entirely : but we do in part. Underneath all this longing and 
seeking ; in all the multiform benevolences and holy activities of 
the life, we discern a voice, saying: " The Master is here and 
calleth for thee,^^ Because she had heard that cry, and in re- 
sponse has said, " Lo, I come to do thy will, O God ! " the vari- 
ous missionary societies have their existence and work. 

The philosophy of them is in the very nature of things; the 
argument for them in their necessity ; the justification of them in 
their fruits. Here a woman may find a fitting field for the exer- 
cise of all her energies and powers, — here, in a way most 
womanly and most Christly, may she expend all her gifts of head 
and heart and life. And it is eminently fitting that she who came 
the nearest Christ in his birth and in his death, at his manger and 
at his tomb — she who ever found in him when on earth fullest 
comprehension and deepest sympathy — she who now finds in 
him, in him alone, the Divine Human, combining infinite tender- 
ness with infinite strength, the full supply of every want of her 
nature — she who owes him most, having received from him most 
— she who wears as her crowning glory what is hurled at her 
as her supremest taunt, that the religion of Christ is good for the 



INTRODUCTION. 1 1 

women and the children and the weak, — it is eminently fitting 
that the fulness of her gratitude and love should expend itself in 
seeking to raise other women from the depths to the same heights 
of renewing, redeeming grace. It is eminently fitting, it is bless- 
ed compensation, it is Divine retribution, that she who brought sin 
into the world, should also bring the Saviour — and that she, also, 
who brought the Saviour, should in these last days further on the 
finished work of human salvation, should bring the top-stone to 
the temple, with shoutings of '' Grace ! grace unto it ! " 

In this little book we have sought to trace the development 
of this principle, the working of the little leaven which a woman 
took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was 
leavened. It is leaven with which we work, the leaven of Gospel 
truth and love ; it is hid^ working quietly in the minds of children 
in schools and orphanages, in the hearts of women, in zenanas, in 
hospitals, in the haunts of heathendom we dare not call homes ; 
a woman — the power ever working silently, subtly, successfully 
to its ends, hides it until the whole lump is leavened^ the world 
redeemed — which will be when every Christian woman is faith- 
ful to her trust, and every heathen woman hears, through her, of 
Him who taketh away the sin of the world. 

Women of the nineteenth century ! dowered as never women 
were before, with gifts, with opportunities, with responsibili- 
ties — with all the world opento thy tread and waiting for thy 
help, — may God help thee to see in these somewhat the measure 
of thy duty — to discern in the light of thy privilege the weight of 
thy obligation — to know the blessedness, the grandeur, the awful- 
ness, of living now ; that 

To serve the present age, 
Thy calling to fulfil, . 



12 INTRODUCTION. 

demands a richer baptism, a fuller consecration, and involves 
grander possibilities than in all the years of the past. 

Christian women of all ranks and denominations ! let us join 
hands in one endeavor, with one thought, one prayer, one motto, 
one voice — the women of all lands for Jesus 1 

Isabel Hart. 



WOMAN'S BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 

The earliest record of woman's work for Missions in the 
Baptist denomination which we have been able to find, is con- 
tained in a little pamphlet called " Articles of the Boston Female 
Society for Missionary Purposes, organized Oct. 9, 1800." The 
Preamble and Constitution read as follows : — 

** Animated by the noble exertions which are making in the various 
parts of the Christian world, to spread the knowledge of divine truth, and 
by the success with which the great Head of the Church has seen fit, in 
many instances, to crown the united endeavors of his dear people, a num- 
ber of females, feeling interested in the glorious cause, and desirous of pro- 
moting it, have formed themselves into a Society to collect a sum for the 
express purpose of aiding missions. The destitute and afflicting situation 
of thousands of our fellow creatures calls aloud to charity ; and while a 
needle can be instrumental of spreading the knowledge of a Saviour's 
name, shall a Christian female forbear to exercise it in the best of causes? 
No, in imitation of those who ministered to the necessities of our divine 
Lord, we will offer our mite for the relief of His elect body. With a view 
to promote the object of the Society, the following articles are adopted for 
its regulation : — 

1. This Society shall consist of females (of no limited number) who 
shall feel themselves disposed to contribute their mite towards so noble a 
design as the diffusion of gospel light among the shades of darkness and 
superstition. 

2. This Society shall meet on the first Monday afternoon in every 
month, excepting some particular circumstance interfere; it shall then 
meet as may be appointed. 

3. No more shall be required of each member than two dollars per 

13 



14 woman's missionary societies. 

year. Those, however, who possess ability, will be at liberty to contribute 
as much more as they shall think consistent with duty. 

4. In order to accommodate persons of both denominations, separate 
lists of names will be kept, and subscriptions and donations of those who 
request it will be devoted to the support of missions of the Congregation- 
al order, and those who wish otherwise, to the support of missions of the 
Baptist denomination. 

5. No person shall be admitted to the Society but such as sustain a 
good moral character, and whose views and motives we have reason to 
hope are right. 

6. Any member shall have a right to introduce others, providing she 
first mention their names, and produce sufficient evidence to the Society 
that they are of the above-mentioned character. 

7. Each member shall engage to continue a member until circumstan- 
ces occur to render it inexpedient. 

8. If any member fail to exhibit the character required in the fifth ar- 
ticle, she shall be excluded from the Society by. a majority present. 

9. One person shall be chosen annually, by vote of the Society, to re- 
cord the proceedings of the Society, the names of subscribers, and the 
sums received monthly. 

10. One person shall be chosen to take charge of the fund, who shall 
give an obligation to take faithful care of the same, and deliver the sum, or 
any part of it, to the Society when called for. 

11. In order that no expense accrue to the Society in consequence of 
meeting, it is proposed that they meet at each others' houses. An invita- 
tion shall be given at a preceding meeting, by any member who shall 
think it convenient to receive them at the next. There shall, however, be 
no compulsion at all, as family circumstances may render it inconvenient. 

12. In case more than one invitation be given, it shall be determined 
by existing circumstances, and a refusal be thought no offence by the 

other. 

13. The time not occupied in attending to the business of the Society, 

shall be devoted to religious exercises. 

We regret tliat we have no further knowledge of this Society 
except that funds given by it are acknowledged in later years by 
other more general societies. 



BAPTIST. 15 

In April, 1802, the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society 
was formed ; its object being " to furnish occasional preaching, 
and to promote the knowledge of evangelical truth in the new 
settlements within these United States ; or further, if circumstan- 
ces shall render it proper." At the first meeting of that Soci- 
ety, two missionaries were appointed to visit the new settlements 
in Maine and New Hampshire, and one to go into North Western 
New York and Canada. Very soon correspondence was opened 
with Dr. Carey and the other Baptist missionaries at Serampore, 
India; and funds were sent to aid in their work. Contributions 
from the Boston Female Society before mentioned, and from oth- 
er similar societies, are recorded at early dates. The " Cent a 
Week Society," afterwards called the " Female Mite Society," of 
Beverly, Mass., was formed in 1808, the " Salem Female Cent 
Society" in 181 1 ; and there were many more such societies in this 
vicinity. 

When Mr. Judson, announcing his change of denominational 
views, said, "Alone in this foreign, heathen land, I make my ap- 
peal to those whom, with their permission, I will call my Baptist 
brethren in the United States," all the hearts which had been 
drawn out in pity for those who sit in darkness, were inspired 
with new zeal ; and the number of willing workers and givers at 
once increased. Many more societies of women were organized. 
We have a pleasant account of one connected with the Fayette 
Street, now the Madison Avenue Baptist church in New York, 
formed April 11, 1814. 

In 1822, Mrs. Judson visited this country for the restoration 
of her health, and in vivid words she pictured the condition of 
women without Christ, in India and Burmah. In personal ad- 
dresses and in printed appeals, she besought Christian women here 
to lay aside superfluous luxuries and ornaments, and to devote 



i6 woman's missionary societies. 

their price to the work of proclaiming the Gospel to the heathen 
Inspired with something of her enthusiasm, many women offered 
jewels and other valuable possessions, and by self-denial, made 
large gifts of money. 

On Mrs. Judson's return to Burmah, she went with Dr. Jud- 
son to Ava, the capital, to establish themselves there by invitation 
of the king. Mrs. Judson wrote Feb. lo, 1834, ''My female 
school has already commenced, with three little girls who are 
learning to read, sew, &c. Two of them are sisters, and we have 
named them Mary and Abby Hasseltine. One of them is to be 
supported with the money which the Judson Association of Brad- 
ford Academy has engaged to collect. Their mother is derang- 
ed, and their father gave them to me to educate. I have already 
begun to make inquiries for children, and doubt not we shall be 
directed in regard to our school." This was the first girls' school 
connected with American Baptist Missions. But it was sudden- 
ly broken up by the war and the dreadful troubles, so well known, 
through which the missionaries were called to pass. As soon as 
Mr. and Mrs. Judson were at liberty, they went to Amherst, and 
immediately Mrs. Judson began a school for girls, and one for 
boys. From that time our missionaries did all they could for the 
Christian education of girls and women ; but with family cares, 
and the manifold duties connected with the oversight of many 
churches, composed of members scarcely emancipated from the 
bonds of superstition and idolatry, the missionaries' wives were 
unable alone to do all they desired. Unmarried women were 
sent out when homes were assured to them in missionaries' fami- 
lies, and all honor is due to their patient toil. The labors of 
some of them are now mentioned with high praise in the mission 
stations. But at fhe time of the formation of the Woman's Bap- 
tist Missionary Society, there were only four unmarried ladies 



BAPTIST. 17 

supported by our Missionary Union in connection with our mis- 
sions in Burmah ; and the officers of the Missionary Union did 
not feel sufficiently sure that single women would be brave and 
steady and contented when far from home and relatives, and at the 
same time prudent in the care of their health, and willing to be 
guided by more experienced missionaries, to warrant them in 
sending many more, unless some new accession of funds to the 
treasury should justify an experiment in that direction. 

While the Baptist missions were growing abroad, too many 
of the church members at home failed to keep themselves fully 
and accurately informed of their progress. The enthusiasm awak- 
ened by the experiences of the Judsons, and other early mission- 
aries, had been suffered to abate, and to fade from memory. It 
may be said that ten years ago the women of the Baptist church- 
es were, in general, almost ignorant on the subject of missions, 
and only a few were personally giving anything to carry out the 
great commission in heathen lands. 

There could be no doubt of the ability of Baptist women to 
carry forward a work similar to that begun by other Christian 
sisters ; and when the reason for such an effort came in the shape 
of a|)peals from the foreign field, they were not slow to respond. 

The appeals which led directly to the organization of this 
Society, were contained in letters written in 1869 and 1870, by 
Mrs. Carpenter, of Bassein, Burmah. These letters give a vivid 
picture of a missionary and his wife sinking under their heavy 
burdens, calling for help, but in vain, till health gave way and 
life seemed in danger. The Sgau Karen churches in the Bassein 
district, years ago determined to secure Christian education for 
their children, and with that object in view have made great sac- 
rifices to provide school houses and teachers, and to support their 
children while in school. The number of girls was larger in 



1 8 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

the school of that station than in any other ; and therefore the de- 
mands of the school upon the missionary's wife were exceptional- 
ly great. Mrs. Carpenter, though without children, had, like 
other missionaries' wives, the ordinary cares of the household; 
and there were innumerable visits from Christians from all the 
churches in the district, to whom sympathy and counsel must be 
given ; medical advice and remedies, too, were in constant de- 
mand. Mrs. Carpenter longed to go with her husband on jungle 
trips. She could meet the women, he could not ; but she was 
often kept at home by the needs of the school. Miss Isabella 
Watson, who had been sent out by the Missionary Union, gave 
important aid in the school and in other departments ; but her 
physical strength was not equal to her courageous and helpful 
spirit. The help sorely needed seemed to be, in Mrs. Carpenter's 
words, " a woman of character and piety, to take charge of the 
female department in the school, and perhaps some of the higher 
classes in English." Not only at Bassein was there need in mis- 
sion work of such help as women can give, but everywhere it was 
possible to do more for women and girls, if more laborers and 
more money could be supplied. The number of girls in the sta- 
tion schools seems to have been generally in proportion to the 
leisure and strength of the missionary lady to take charge of them. 
In January, 1871, Mrs. Carpenter wrote, " We can see as yet 
no helper ; one and another have come in sight; our signal of dis- 
tress has been raised ; our cry for help repeated again and again ; 
but thus far none respond. May the ever-gracious Father give us 
patience and strength according to our day I We are doing all 
we have strength for, but the wheels turn heavily, and we 
see the harvest perishing for lack of reapers. Pray for us. I am 
not sure that you yourselves have not a work to do for missions 
at home — the forming of women's societies, auxiliary to the 



BAPTIST. 



19 



Missionary Union, as far as your ability and influence will allow. 
I believe that is the true course." 

The friends who received these appeals found, on consulting 
other sisters in the churches, that the Lord was guiding their 
minds in the same direction, and awakening similar convictions 
as to duty of the Baptist women of America, toward their Chris- 
tian and heathen sisters in foreign lands. Consequently, on the 
28th of February, 1871, eleven ladies of the Baptist church in 
Newton Centre, Mass., met " for the purpose of forming a Wo- 
man's Missionary Society for the benefit of women in heathen 
lands." After a free consultation, officers were appointed ; and 
the secretary was requested to draft a constitution, and '' to pre- 
sent a circular suitable to be sent to various churches, to interest 
the women in the work for missions." 

At the next meeting, March 7, the following circular was 
adopted : — 

'* In view of the very little which the American Baptist Missionary 
Union has been able thus far to do for the education of women at its va- 
rious stations ; of the insufBcient funds at its command for prosecuting this 
work; of the successful beginning which it has made of it at several sta- 
tions; of the desire of its Executive Committee to do everything possible 
for the elevation of women as well as man ; of its readiness to employ 
Christian women so far as practicable in this work; of the urgent need of 
more laborers at all our stations and in the regions beyond ; and of our 
duty to co-operate more fully, in this great work, — we believe the time has 
come for us to form a Society or Societies for the special purpose of aiding 
our Missionary Union to do more for the heathen and Christian woman in 
the stations under its care. 

"All ladies who are interested in our Foreign Missions are therefore in- 
vited to meet in the Chapel of Clarendon Street Baptist Church, on Mon- 
day, April 3, at three o'clock P. M., to consider the propriety of forming a 
general Woman's Missionary Society." 

A committee was appointed " to send this circular to other 



20 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

churches, and do what else may seem wise to interest them in this 
object." The circular was accordingly sent to all the pastors in 
the Boston North and South Associations ; and before the day ap- 
pointed for meeting, many of the pastors' wives and other ladies 
in and near Boston were visited and consulted in regard to the 
proposed movement. Almost all were found ready to join cor- 
dially and actively in the work. About two hundred ladies met 
at the specified time and place ; the constitution was presented ; 
and after consultation, the Woman's Baptist Missionary Society 
was formally organized. 

This Society, which was so planned that it might include 
every Baptist woman in the United States, had thus but a small 
beginning. Its members heard, as they believed, the call of the 
Saviour in the appeal of his servants for aid ; and they felt that 
it was in their power to obey more fully than they had yet done, 
His last command. They were inexperienced in such work as lay 
before them ; they shrank with all sensitiveness from publicity 
and from responsibility ; they knew not how their appeals might 
be received by the churches, nor who was to do all the work re- 
quired to establish the Society over all the land ; but they were 
ready to go forward step by step, looking for wisdom and for hu- 
man help to Him who giveth liberally, and in whose hand are 
the hearts of all. 

Before the meeting at which the Society was formed, the 
subject was presented to the Executive Committee of the Union ; 
and they were requested to state some principles on which wise 
and harmonious relations could be based. A minute was adopt- 
ed by them, defining the relations which have thus far existed, 
the wisdom of which every year's experience has made more evi- 
dent. This paper suggested that the Woman's Society leave the 
direct appointment and distribution of all laborers, the fixing 



BAPTIST. 21 

of their salaries, the appropriation of funds for their support, and 
the direction of their work in foreign fields, where it now is, — 
in the hands of this committee ; adopting for itself the no less 
important task of awakening, by suitable means, a missionary 
spirit in the women of our churches, and of inducing them to 
contribute regularly to its treasury for the support of female la- 
borers in the foreign field, who seek especially the religious, the 
mental, and the social elevation of woman. 

Of the practical working of these principles, we may say, 
that all missionaries to be supported by the Woman's Society first 
present themselves to its Board of Directors for examination, and 
if found satisfactory, are by that Board recommended to the Ex- 
ecutive Committee for appointment. The assignment of these 
missionaries to their fields of labor, the appropriating of funds for 
their support, and the direction of their work, are subjects of free 
and constant consultation between the officers of the Union and 
of the Woman's Society. As a result of such consultation, the 
Board suggests what it would like to have done ; and the Execu- 
tive Committee of the Union has always complied with its 
wishes. 

Any woman who pays a dollar into the treasury of the Soci- 
ety, is a member for the year in which she pays. The amount 
raised from the beginning, is $193,708,92. 

For nearly two years, Mrs. Laura A. Bixby acted as corres- 
ponding secretary, and in that capacity made many journeys for 
the purpose of holding woman's missionary meetings wherever the 
way seemed open to establish the work. A circular, stating the 
circumstances of the origin of the Society, and an appeal for co- 
operation, was sent to thousands of pastors. Letters were writ- 
ten to women in many places, and encouraging replies were re- 
ceived. Money began at once to come to the treasurer, Mrs. 



22 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

Hannah B. Merrill, who for three years performed all the duties 
of that office, providing all the needed stationery and postage, 
till she was compelled by disease to resign the labor to other 
hands. 

Mrs. M. A. Edmond gave important aid in the first year, by 
writing letters to the missionaries of the Union at all the stations, 
inquiring as to the condition of the women around them, and as 
to the need of additional labor such as could be rendered by lady 
missionaries. The replies to these letters were full of joy at the 
new impulse given to work for missions at home by the forma- 
tion of the Society ; and each told of the open field, the ready 
opportunity for such labor as was proposed. 

At the first meeting of the Board of Directors, a letter was 
presented from Mrs. C. F. Tolman of Chicago, in reply to which 
an invitation was sent to the ladies of Chicago to unite with us by 
forming a branch Society ; and also a letter, stating what had 
been done by this Society. It was decided to hold a Woman's 
Missionary meeting in connection with the anniversary of the 
Missionary Union in Chicago ; and delegates were appointed by 
the Board " to confer with those who might be present, and see 
if they would unite in the work." But before that meeting was 
held, the "Woman's Baptist Missionary Society of the West" 
had been formed as a separate organization ; and it was found to 
be impossible to form one national Society directly auxiliary to 
the Missionary Union. The eastern line of Ohio was finally ac- 
cepted as the boundary between the fields in which the two Soci- 
eties should work. Our Southern boundary must naturally be the 
same as that of the field of the Missionary Union, the sisters in 
the Southern States contributing through the Southern Baptist 
Missionary Convention. Thus our field has come to be New Eng- 
land, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the 



BAPTIST. 



23 



District of Columbia. A circle has lately been formed in West 
Virginia ; and we hope to welcome more. 

It soon became evident that we must look, not to pastors, but 
to warm-hearted Christian women in every locality, to present 
the cause of the Society, and establish auxiliary circles. In the 
first year, secretaries were appointed for Connecticut, Rhode 
Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 

Our first missionary, Miss Kate F. Evans of Painsvillc, Va., 
sailed for Burmah Dec. 16, 1871, in company with Miss A. L. 
Stevens, the first missionary sent by the Society of the West, who 
went to Mrs. Carpenter at Bassein. 

From May, 1871, till February, 1872, space was kindly giv- 
en by the Missionary Union to the new Society, in the Magazine 
for the presentation of its appeals, and to report the receipts of 
its treasury. But the increasing demand for such facts and ap- 
peals led to the offer of eight pages to be added to the Magazine ; 
and this new venture was commenced in March, 1872, with the 
title of the Hclpijtg Hand, This was issued separately, as well 
as in connection with the magazine, and was first under the edi- 
torial care of Mrs. Bixby, and afterward of Mrs. Hovey. These 
ladies were all unused to such work, and carefully did they weigh 
every word that was to be printed. The first appeals were writ- 
ten three times over. The details of business with printers and 
publishers had all to be learned ; but the apprenticeship was 
gladly served for the sake of the cause, which grew every day* 
more dear. At the beginning of 1873, the Missionary Union gave 
to our Society, instead of the supplement to the Magazine, one- 
half, or four pages, of the Macedonian ; and this became our 
medium of presenting missionary letters and information. The 
Society assumed one-half the pecuniary responsibility of the pub- 
lication ; and this was divided with the Society of the West in 



24 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

proportion to the number of subscribers in the respective fields, 
that Society occupying part of the space every month. The favor 
with which the Heping Hand ^?i% received, in this new form, 
was very gratifying. The only drawback to our satisfaction has 
been its failure to pay for itself, necessitating a payment each year 
from our treasury to meet a deficit. Mrs. C. W. Train was ap- 
pointed editor in January, 1874. In January, 1875, a fifth page 
was added to our share, and under the title of " Little Helpers," 
was devoted to the children. In January, 1877, the Missionary 
Union offered us the whole publication, which was accepted. 
The terms of arrangement with the Society of the West are the 
same as formerly. We are allowed to rejoice in an increasing 
subscription list, and in pecuniary profit for the year 1S77, the 
paper having paid all its expenses and given a respectable sum 
into our treasury. 

The Society in 1872 sent Miss C. H. Rand to Burmah, and 
assumed the support of four unmarried ladies already connected 
with our missions— -Miss Haswell, Miss Gage, Miss Watson and 
Miss Adams. Four Bible women were that year supported 
through the Society. 

The first annual meeting was deferred till after the Mission- 
ary Union in New York, in the hope that a National Woman's 
Missionary Society might- then be formed. But this hope was 
disappointed ; and the meeting was held June 6, 1872, in the ves- 
try of Tremont Temple, Boston. The results of the first year's 
work may be summed up as follows : missionaries, 6 ; auxiliar- 
ies, 141 ; life members, 146; receipts, $9,172,63. 

From the first, quarterly meetings have been held at church- 
es in or near Boston, where we have listened with deep interest 
to the experiences and appeals of returned missionaries and of 
home workers. From these meetings we always come away 



BAPTIST. 25 

with the desire to be better women — better servants of our Lord, 
in whatever position he may have placed us. 

In the second year, all the States were supplied with State 
Secretaries ; and the present Assistant Secretary of the Society, 
Miss Mary E. Clarke, was appointed. 

In October, 1873, Mrs. Bixby resigned the office of Corres- 
ponding Secretary, much to the regret of all the officers of the 
Society. In December, Mrs. H. R. Carpenter, who had return- 
ed from Burmah early in the year, was elected Secretary. The 
personal knowledge of the jnission field in Burmah possessed by 
both Mrs. Bixby and Mrs. Carpenter, was of great value in the 
first years of our history, giving a special power to letters and 
personal appeals. 

It was in our second year that the idea was first suggested of 
seeking a lady in each Association to present the cause to every 
church, and assist in forming and conducting circles. Every day 
we have reason to thank our Heavenly Guide for showing us this 
way to extend the work. One by one women have become known 
to us who are fitted for this work and willing to undertake it ; 
and their eflforts, for which they receive no pecuniary reward, 
have been successful in a marked degree. They have to meet in- 
difference, and sometimes actual opposition, in trying to gain the 
attention of those who expect to be saved through Christ, to his 
command to preach the Gospel to every creature. But after a 
time they are allowed to report the beginning of work in some of 
their churches. They hold women's missionary meetings when 
their Associations meet : and with or without the help of some 
returned missionary who can tell from actual experience what life 
is where Christ is unknown, they try to impress on the sisters the 
duty of extending the blessings of salvation to those who are with- 
out hope. They follow up their appeals by letters, and when 



26 woman's missionary societies. 

they can, by visits. Gradually woman's work for missions be- 
comes an element in the Christian work of the Association. Pas- 
tors and brethren are stimulated to learn and tell more of God's 
work among the heathen. A revival of interest in missions is 
spoken of as a feature of our denominational history at this time. 
Perhaps no one will ever trace out and publish the agency of our 
State and Associational Secretaries and officers of circles in pro- 
ducing this revival ; but in the Master's book of remembrance 
every appeal made in weakness and trembling, every sacrifice of 
leisure and personal comfort, every effort to overcome prejudice 
and indifference, is recorded. 

Summary for the second year : Missionaries 9, auxiliaries 
305, life members 337, schools 15, receipts $30,158.67. 

Early in our third year the following preamble and resolution 
were entered on the records of the Board : " Whereas, it has been 
urged that home mission work be united with foreign in the 
church and city societies auxiliary to the Woman's Baptist Mis- 
sionary Society, Voted^ That while we bid a hearty God-speed 
to every other good object, and are glad to share in the work of 
the Home Mission Society, we do not think it wise in the church 
circles composing our Society to combine home work and foreign, 
but recommend to our circles the special effort needed to carry 
out the object of the Society as stated in the constitution of the 
auxiliaries." 

We may say here that in more recent consideration of this 
question, the opinion of the members of the Board has remained 
the same as when the vote just quoted was taken. The constitu- 
tion of the Society, as it now stands, would manifestly not allow 
the introduction of work for home missions ; and the facts of 
the far greater difficulty of commanding attention and eliciting ef- 
fort in behalf of foreign missions, and of the proportionately 



BAPTIST. 



27 



small effort put forth to send the Gospel to the heathen, have con- 
firmed the Board in the conviction that these tw^o departments of 
mission work can be more efficiently promoted without uniting 
them in one organization. 

In 1873, a small room was granted by the Missionary Union 
in its house in Bedford street, for the use of the Society, the meet- 
ings of the Board being held in the room used by the Executive 
Committee of the Union. But most of the work was done by the 
officers at home, till the headquarters of the Union were remov- 
ed to Tremont Temple. Then our present office. Room 13, Tre- 
mont Temple, was furnished by special contributions made for 
the purpose, and was ready for occupancy in April, 1873. 

As Mrs. Carpenter, the Corresponding Secretary, was about 
to return to Burmah, Mrs. Alvah Hovey was chosen her succes- 
sor. The Treasurer, Mrs. Merrill, resigned ; and Mrs. J. M. S. 
Williams was elected Treasurer, Miss Clarke acting as Assistant 
Treasurer. 

In our third annual Report, Children's Mission Bands are 
for the first time reported by themselves, twenty-one in number. 
Since that time increasing attention has been given to that branch 
of the home work. Much labor and thought have been expend- 
ed upon it ; and thousands of dollars have been brought into the 
treasury. More important still, souls have been led to Christ by 
this very effort to send his word to the heathen ; and the founda- 
tion is being laid for the intelligent and zealous support of mis- 
sions in years to come. 

At the close of our third year, we were able to report mis- 
sionaries, 11; auxiliaries, 520 ; life members, 606; schools, 22; 
receipts, $26,061.52. 

In October, 1874, the Society was incorporated in accord- 
ance with an act of the Legislature of Massachusetts. By the 



28 woman's missionary societies 

provisions of the charter, the President and Clerk are members of 
the Board of Directors. There is but one Vice President. The 
constitution of the Society was not essentially changed. 

About the same time, a contingent fund was established, con- 
sisting of legacies and gifts made in memory of friends. These 
are invested, and the interest is used every year in the work. It 
is understood that the principal may also be used at any time, if 
required. 

We counted in April, 1875, missionaries, 15 ; auxiliaries, 
707 ; schools, 20 ; receipts, $28,909.89. 

Summary for the fifth year : Missionaries, 18 ; schools, 20 ; 
auxiliaries, 750 > mission bands, 80 ; receipts, $33,260.69. 

Summary for the sixth year: Missionaries, 21 ; schools, 34; 
Biblewomen,25 ; lifemembers, 1,040; receipts, $35,925.09. 

Summary for the seventh year : Missionaries, 25 ; schools 
aided, 37 ; Bible women, 24 ; auxiliaries and bands, about 1000 ; 
life members, 1,161 ; receipts, $39,260.43. 

Two missionaries are in Japan, one in India, all the rest in 
Burmah. Aid is given to six schools in India, two in Japan, four 
m China, one in Siam, and twenty-six in Burmah. 

It will be seen from this brief survey that much of the edu- 
cational work of our missions has gradually come to be support- 
ed by our Society. This is in accordance with the appeals and 
the motives which led to the formation of the Society. It is our 
hope that we may be able to enlarge and strengthen this depart- 
ment to just the extent needed for the best interest of the cause of 
Christ. We long, also, to have more native Bible women going 
from house to house, wherever such workers are adapted to the 
character and customs of the people, to tell the women and chil- 
dren of the Saviour. But there must be missionaries fitted by char- 
acter and education for the work of training these Bible women. 



BAPTIST. 29 



As we look over our foreign field, we have reason to be grate- 
ful for those whom we have been allowed to send there. They 
prove that unmarried women can be as brave and steady and de- 
voted as any class of workers. God bless them every one, and 
supply all their need, according to his riches in glory by Christ 

Tcsus ! 

What shall we say of our success at home? Year by year 
we have rejoiced in the increasing number of active workers, and 
of contributors to the treasury; and most of those who have jom- 
ed us are actually learning something of the work of God m for- 
eign lands, and of the circumstances under which it goes on. 
The constant demand for missionary literature is in itself an en- 
couragement. The instruction given to thousands of children will 
make them more wise and willing supporters of missions than we 
are in the present generation. We rejoice in the assurance that 
the Woman's Mission Circle is in many churches what it is in- 
tended to be — a quickener of piety, a stimulating agent to love 
for souls, to prayer, to all forms of Christian growth and work. 
Its members call attention, by word and example, to the need of 
foreign mission work in accomplishing the object of all Christian 
effort -the bringing of every human soul into Christ's kingdom. 
And we hope our Society is helping effectively, though unobtru- 
sively, to speed the day when every Christian shall, of necessity, 
as one who owes all to Christ, give and labor according to his or 
her ability, in making the gospel known to every creature. 
When that day comes, — when even the Baptist women of Amer- 
ica may be counted on as sure, because of their abiding principle, 
to do their share in this great work, -we will gladly consider 
our mission as a separate organization at an end. But as yet we 
may not relax our efforts, but must rather persevere, with greater 
zeal and riper wisdom, as the years go by. 



30 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 



Woman's Baptist Missionary Society, 
1878-82. 

Summary for the eighth year : Missionaries, 33 ; schools, S;^ ; Bible 
women, 39 ; receipts, $41,472.77. Mrs. Williams resigned as Treas- 
urer, and Miss M, E. Clarke was elected. Besides sending out two 
missionaries, the Board, to aid the Missionary Union most effec- 
tively in reinforcing its stations, voted to pay $500 toward the salary 
of each of nine missionaries, to be considered as providing for their 
wives, making no claim on the ladies for special service or reports. 
Similar appropriations have been continued in subsequent years. 
The Board published a statement of its belief that both Home and 
Foreign Missions can be best served if presented separately to the 
women of the churches ; not by circles combining both objects. 

Summary for the ninth year: Missionaries, 34 ; Bible women, 34; 
schools, 61 ; receipts, $46,178.32. Mr. and Mrs. Partridge, of Swatow, 
China, being ready to return to their work there, but having found 
no home in this country for their two older children, formally asked 
the Board to provide a place where they might live, and some one 
to take charge of them, thus beginning a Home for Missionary 
Children. The Society approved the plan. 

Summary for the tenth year : Missionaries, 40 ; Bible women, 
47; schools, 78; receipts, $50,010.91, The Home for Missionary 
Children was begun at Newton Centre, Mass., with four children, 
and Mrs. J. McKinlay as matron. Gifts of money ($1,175.54) 
were received for it. Work was begun at Liberia, Africa, and in 
France. 

Summarjr for the eleventh year : Missionaries, 38 ; Bible women, 
49; schools, 84, with 2,710 pupils. These are distributed among 
the Burmese, Karens, and Shans of Birmah, the Telugus of India, 



BAPTIST. 3 1 

the Garos of Assam, the Chinese, the Japanese, French, Swedes, 
and Africans. Receipts, $56,132.15; life members, 2,004; circles, 
976; bands, 316. A house was built for the missionary children, 
$8,218.42 being received for the purpose. Receipts for eleven 
years and eight months, $407,257.93. 
December, 1882. 

OFFICERS, 

President. — Mrs. Gardner Colby, Newton, Mass. 

r^ c^/.«.^^.,-.,Vr S Mrs. Alvah Hovey, Newton Centre, Mass. 

Cor, Secretaries.— -^ u O. W. Gates,\ •« «* 

Treasurer and Assistant Cor. Sec'y, — Miss Mary £. Clarkci Tremont Templet Boston. 



Missionaries of the Woman's Baptist Missionary Society, 1882, 



Name. 


Date of 
Departure. 


Station. 


Mission. 


Remarks. 


Miss A. R. Gage 


1866 


Rangoon, Burmah. 


Burmese. 


In this country. 


** I.Watson 


1867 


Bassein, " 


Karen. 


In the field. 


Miss S. E. Haswell 




Maulmain, ** 


Burmese. 


Disconnected from the 
Society, 1880. 


Mrs. R. A. Bailey 


.... 


Zeegong, ** 


(( 


Died, 1878. 


Miss K. F.Evans 


1871 


Thongzai. " 


(( 


In the United States. 


Mrs. M. C. Douglass... 


1872 


Rangoon, ** 


*' 


In the field. 


MissC. H. Rand 


1872 


Bassein, " 


Pwo Karen. 


Married Rev. J. T. 
Elwell, 1879. 


** S. B. Barrows .... 


1872 


Maulmain, '* 


Burmese. 


In the field. 


Mrs. J. J. Longley 


1873 


(i << 


(( 


Disconnected from A. 
B. M. Union, 1878. 


Miss E. Lawrence 


1873 


<( i( 


Karen. 


In the field. 


" M. C. Manning... 


1874 


Bassein, " 


'* 


Died, 1879. 


" M.E. Walling.... 


1874 


ti (t 


(( 


Married Rev. M. 
Jameson, 1878. 


Mrs. C. B. Thomas 


1874 


Henthada, «' 


(( 


In the field. 


Mrs. L. A. Knowlton. . . 


1853 


Ningpo, " 


China. 


In this country since 

1875- 


MissM. H. Stetson 


1875 


Maulmain, " 


Burmese. 


Died, 1876. 


'• E. A. Chace 


1875 


<t «( 


" 


Married Rev. W. H. 
S. Hascall, 1877. 


Mrs. D. Estabrooks. . . . 


1875 


(t it 


Eurasian. 


Died, 1878. 


Miss C. A. Sands 


1875 


Yokohama, Japan. 


Japanese. 


In the field. 


" A.H.Kidder 


1875 


Tokio, '* 


*' 


(C <( 


•* M.Sheldon 


1876 


Maulmain, Burmah. 


Burmese. 


ft ft 


" E. H. Pavne 


1876 


(( «( 


" 


ft tt 


•• E. F. McAllister.. 


1877 


Bassein, ** 


Karen. 


<( tt 


«• J.C.Bromley.... 


1877 


Prome, '* 


Burmese. 


Died, 1882. 


" L. E.Rathbun 


1877 


Rangoon, ** 


(( 


In the field. 


Mrs. J. M.. Haswell.... 


1835 


Maulmain, ^ " 


(( 


(( ti 


MissM. M.Day 


1878 


Nellore, India. 


Telugu. 


ft 


'* Ulie Cross 


1878 


Toungoo, Burmah. 


Karen. 


Married Rev. A. V. 
Crumb, 1878. 


" R. E.Batson 


1878 


Shwaygyeen, ** 


Burmese. 


Married Rev. W. I. 
Price, 1880. 


•* M.Russell 


1878 


Tura, Assam. 


Garo. 


In the field. 


Mrs. C. H. Carpenter . . 


1862 


Bassein, Burmah. 


Karen. 


In the United States. 


" H. Morrow 


1876 


Tavoy, *' 


<« 


In the field. 


" L. Jewett 


1848 


Madras, India. 


Telugu. 


fi if 


«' D. Dowme 


1873 


Nellore, " 


** 


In the United States. 


*' W.W.Campbell.. 


1873 


Secunderabad, India. 


(t 


•' *' ♦' 


*' A. Loughridge... . 


1875 


Hanamaconda, *' 


ft 


<f <( (( 


Dr. E. E. Mitchell 


1879 


Maulmain, Burmah. 


Burmese. 


In the field. 


Miss A. M. Barkley 


1879 


(( <( 


" 


a a 


•* A. L. Buell 


1879 


Rangoon, ** 


ti 


Married Rev. W. H. 

Roberts. 
Married Rev. W. J. 

White, 1882. 
In the field. 


*' E. J. Munson .... 


1879 


Tokio, Japan. 


Japanese. 


Mrs. J. B. Kelley 


1871 


Rangoon, Burmah. 


Burmese. 


Miss E. L. Upham 


1880 


Toungoo, " 


'* 


»< <« 


" M. A. Rockwood. . 


1880 


<i «( 


Shan. 


Died, 1882. 


Mrs. H. J. Nichols .... 


1878 


Madras, India. 


Telugu. 


Died, 1881. 


" H.W. Mix 


1882 


Toungoo, Burmah. 


Shan._ 


In the field. 


** Z. A. Bunn 


1 882 


Maulmain, " 


Eurasian. 


" 



32 



WOMAN'S BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY 
OF THE WEST. 

It was a happy inspiration which suggested the idea of a 
special organization of Christian women to promote the work of 
evangelizing the heathen women. They can never know the 
Saviour till the Church shall feel more of that constraining love 
of Christ which animated the first Christians. No doubt a great 
deal that was done to send out the Judsons and Boardmans, 
the Careys and Ashmores, was done by women. But so far, 
women were not organized ; and organization multiplies pow- 
er. It was therefore a happy inspiration when some warm- 
hearted Christian suggested the thought of organizing women for 
this noblest of works. It would be pleasant and profitable if it 
were possible to re-produce the reasons of our organization, the 
way and means adopted for promoting its growth, and to glance 
backward to the labors of the women in the field. It was not 
until 1870, that the attention of Baptist women was turned to- 
wards a special organization for a special purpose, which was 
nothing less than Christianizing the women of heathendom. In 
the month of August of that year, there was a gathering of friends 
at Chicago, to join in the farewell services of the Rev. R. E. 
Neighbor, who was about to go to his designated field in Assam. 
Among these friends interested in the work of missions, the idea 
of organizing a Woman's Society of the West, was discussed, and 
rapidly took form and shape, so that the same month a plan was 
33 



34 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

presented to the American Baptist Missionary Union, through its 
then foreign secretary, Dr. Warren, who, though himself hesi- 
tant at first as to whether the time for such a movement had fully 
come, — upon further consideration gave it personal and official 
sanction. May 9, 1871, the Society was organized, a constitution 
adopted, and officers elected. The officers were Mrs. Robert 
Harris, President; Mrs. A. M. Bacon, Recording Secretary; 
Mrs. C. F. Tolman, Corresponding Secretary, and Mrs. S. M. Os- 
good, Treasurer. 

The Society was auxiliary to the Missionary Union, being 
formally accepted as such at their Anniversary meeting later in 
May, and work immediately began. Articles and appeals were 
published in the missionary magazine, and the religious papers ; 
reports of meetings were prepared, and after March, 1873, the 
Helping Hand was published with the Missionary Magazine in 
the interest of the societies East and West. At the first semi- 
annual meeting. Miss A. L. Stevens was present, — the first ap- 
plicant for an appointment to the foreign field. She was desig- 
nated to Bassein, Burmah. The circumstances connected with 
Miss Stevens have been of peculiar interest. The very day she 
met the Committee, our city was burned u;p^ and the outfit pre- 
pared for her was burned at the depot. The Society of the East 
gave timely aid in providing for her, so that her departure was 
not delayed. She went her way " with joy." The next month 
another sister knocked at the door of the foreign field. She was 
recommended for appointment, leaving the time for her depart- 
ure contingent on the state of the treasury. Funds came in unex- 
pectedly, and by the time her appointment was decided and her 
field designated, the Board was ready to meet her expenses. The 
farewell services were held in Chicago, and she sailed alone Dec. 
30, for India. The Society also assumed the support of Mrs. 



BAPTIST. 35 

Scott, who had been laboring there several years, with her hus- 
band, who had recently died. Thus, w^ithin the finst year of its 
existence, the new organization had equipped and sent out two 
missionaries, supported another, aided in sustaining a school for 
girls in Newgong, under the care of Miss Maria Bronson, and 
one in Gowhati, and the Normal School at Bassein, also sup- 
porting two Bible women at Nowgong. Miss Maria Bronson, al- 
ready at work at Nowgong, was soon added to the list of the mis- 
sionaries of this Society, and during the second year Miss East- 
man was designated to Toungoo, Burmah ; Miss Rankin was ap- 
pointed to go to the assistance of Mrs. Scott at Gowhati, Assam. 
But before she could reach this far-off station, Mrs. Scott had 
been obliged to leave it, and with her children, to return to this 
country, where she is still awaiting the providential opening of a 
Christian home for her children ; in the meantime preparing her- 
self for wider usefulness, in caring for the bodies as well as the 
souls of her widely extended parish, by taking a thorough course 
of medical instruction. 

We had begun to hear " voices from the fields across the seas" 
telling of the scenes which now met their eyes, pagodas and ter- 
raced roofs, of cocoanut trees, with graceful, feathery foliage, of 
broad rivers with stately ships of all nations riding at anchor, 
and far away the range of hills behind which the sun sets. Sur- 
rounded by such scenes, we knew that our first missionary had 
found herself and her work, and that she was busy and happy, 
so that we were strangely unprepared for words like these, " I 
must unclasp my hands from the work to which I had given 
myself, the work of my choice. I must lay it down, so soon, 
just at the beginning, and retrace my steps. I thought I had 
something to give to the work. I have nothing more. All 
is behind me. My heart is sad for tlie school, for the dear 



36 woman's missionary societies. 

Karen girls, and for the disappointment it will bring you at 
home. I follow the same Guiding Hand which led me here. 
Though but one short year has been given me, I thank God for 
this, the golden year of my life. It is worth all it can cost me." 
Miss Stevens reached Chicago May 24, 1873, very feeble, and 
though unable to stand, was able to give Miss Baldwin, her suc- 
cessor at Bassein, an address of welcome to all that was so dear 
to her in the work from which she had so sadly unclasped her 
hands, — to the dear and familiar room she would occupy, with 
its lamp trimmed and its furnishings in perfect order, and to the 
loving girls who would receive her so joyfully. Time and space 
would fail us were we to attempt to mention the details of the 
work at home or abroad. At the fourth annual meeting the 
Treasurer reported the receipts at $11,105. Circles were con- 
tinually being organized, and the churches were evidently being 
blessed through them. Two cultured and consecrated young 
women were ready to go to the distant harvest fields. Miss 
Maria Bronson was smitten with cholera, and in a few hours was 
borne from the steamer on which she died, to her night-burial at 
Gowalpara. Miss Helen E. Watson was designated to Hen- 
thada, Burmah, and sailed January 17, 1874. She was anxious 
to go to the regions beyond and engage in direct evangelistic 
work. She was relieved of school work, and went to Zeegong, 
from which point she took journeys and went from house to house, 
telling all who would listen, of the Saviour. She is still in the 
service of the Society, though married to Mr. R. B. Hancock, 
and is now at Henthada. 

Miss Mary A. Wood was designated to Gowalpara, and Miss 
Ella Gaylord to Nowgong to take Miss Bronson's place. She 
never reached this designation, as she married at Calcutta a fel- 
low-passenger, missionary of another society, and went with her 
husband to Northern India. 



BAPTIST. 37 

Miss Wood was transferred to Nellore, and to Ongole, and 
finally to Ramapatam, where she married Rev. A. A. Newhall, 
and was, as the wife of a missionary, under the Missionary Un- 
ion's care. She was a faithful and energetic worker. She died 
October 9, 1877. As Miss Peabody had, after six years of hard 
labor at Ramapatam, married the Rev. C. Pearce, and removed 
to her husband's home on the Nilgherry Hills, her connection with 
the Society of the West was severed in August, 1877? ^^d Rama- 
patam was left with no female teacher. 

Miss Anna M. Sweet was sent to Nowgong, Miss Bronson's 
still vacant place, and Miss Orrel Keeler sailed with her for Gow- 
hati, where Miss Rankm, who had married Rev. Dr. Bronson, 
was caring for the school, though her relations with the Society 
were severed. Miss S. J. Higby was sent to Maulmain in May, 
1876, and the autumn of that year the Society sent its first repre- 
sentative to China, Miss Mary E. Thompson, who is at Swatow, 
learning the language with all her might. In October, 1877, 
Miss L. Ella Miller was designated to Rangoon, to assist Dr. 
Packer in the College, while studying the language and the peo- 
ple she went to serve. She is with Mrs. Binney, who has just 
become a missionary of this society, her husband having died on 
the voyage back to the home and the work he so loved. Within 
a week after the departure of these last, we sent a second repre- 
sentative to China, Miss A. Sophia A. Norwood, who accompa- 
nied Dr. and Mrs. Ashmore, as they returned to their work at 
Swatow. The Society has just held its seventh annual meeting in 
Indianapolis, Ind. As we go up annually to these feasts, we can see 
a marked improvement in all respects. The women of our church- 
es are giving more thoughtful consideration to the question of 
duty, of exercising such talents and gifts as they have found they 
possessed, — gifts of utterance, gifts of far-reaching helpfulness. 



38 woman's missionary societies. 

The methods of work are slowly gaining in efficiency, though 
they are very simple — a vice-president and state secretary in 
each state, an executive committee, to work with the associa- 
tional secretaries in awakening and developing the interest in the 
weakest and remotest churches. The circles in the associations 
report to the secretary of the association die amount contributed, 
but forward the money directly to the general treasurer, while 
the reports of meetings and memberships are sent to the assistant 
secretary, by her reported to the state secretary, who sums them 
up and reports to the corresponding secretary. Each circle can 
arrange its programme, and arrange any plan which promises 
success in educating and directing an intelligent interest in the 
society's operations. The result of the seven years' work in con- 
ducting these circles is to show us all how ignorant even the 
best-informed among us, are, as to the real life and condition of 
those among whom we are sending our daughters ; and the need 
is felt, and acknowledged, for knowledge on all points that con* 
cern the dwellers in those strange lands. 



OFFICERS. 

President. — Mrs. Robert Harris. 

Recordhig Secretary. —Mrs. J. O. Brayman, Chicago. 
Correspondhiff Secretary. — Mrs. A. M. Bacon, Dundee, IlL 
Treasurer. -'Mx^. C. R. Blackall, Chicago, IlL 



BAPTIST. 39 



Woman's Baptist Missionary Society of the West, 
1878-82. 

At the eighth annual meeting, Mrs. H. M. Robert, of Mil- 
waukee, Wis., was elected President, in place of Mrs. Robert Har- 
ris, who had removed to New York. The Treasurer, Mrs. C. R. 
Blackall, having also removed there, was succeeded by Mrs. F. A. 
Smith, of Chicago. 

During this year, the Society sent out its first medical mission- 
ary. Miss Caroline H. Daniells, stationed at Swatow, Chma, where 
she is doing good missionary medical work. Miss Emma O. Ambrose 
was sent to the assistance of Miss Eastman, at Toungoo, Burmah. 

At the ninth annual meeting, Mrs. A. J. Howe was chosen 
President. Miss Emma Inveen and Miss Flora B. Lightfoot sailed, 
Nov. 15, from San Francisco for Ningpo, China. 

During the tenth year. Miss Frances E. Palmer, of St. Johns, 
Mich., sailed for Toungoo, Burmah; and Miss Marie Menke, of 
Ciistrin, Germany, arrived at Madras, India, Dec. 13, of the same 
year. Mrs. C. M. Hill was adopted, and is at work at Bexley, 
Liberia. 

A Bureau of Intelligence was opened during the tenth year, 
and works in three departments, — Foreign, Home, and Children's. 

The eleventh year was marked by increased activity at home 
and abroad. Miss Anna K. Brandt went to Nowgong, Assam, and 
Miss Naomi Carton, to Maulmain, Burmah. A mission station was 
opened in Paris, France, Madame Ernestine Andru in charge. A 
committee on Bible instruction for candidates for foreign mission 
service was appointed, and another for medical instruction. Work 
among the Scandinavians was enlarged by the appointment of Miss 
Olsen as Conference Secretary ; and Miss Emma Rauschenbusch 



40 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

was appointed Secretary of the German Conference. Just at the 
close of the year, Miss Rauschenbusch was accepted as a mission- 
ary for foreign fields. Of the twenty-six missionaries who have been 
sent abroad and supported by this Society, eight are from Illinois, 
five from Iowa, four from Michigan, two from Ohio, and one each 
from Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. Three have been 
assumed while on the foreign field ; four have married missionaries 
of the Union ; two have gone to other fields ; two are in this 
country ; and two have entered into rest. 

Mrs. E. W. Brayman. 



OFFICERS, 1882. 



President. — Mrs. A. J. Howe, University of Chicago. 
Vice-President. — Mrs. C. F. Tolman, 41 University Place, Chicago. 
Recording Secretary. — Mrs. E. W. Brayman, 78 Twelfth Street, Chicago. 
Corresponding Secretary. — Mrs. A. M. Bacon, Oak Park, 111. 
Treasurer. — M.XS, F. A. Smith, 151 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. 



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Oct. 9, 1877.) 


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41 



'SS 



THE WOMAN'S BAPTIST FOREIGN MISSIONARY 
SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 

This Society was organized in the First Baptist Church, San 
Francisco, Oct. 14, 1874. A local Society, established by Mrs. 
Thorndike Jameson, had already been in existence two years in 
Oakland. 

Mrs. Cogswell and Mrs. Garthwaite, of Oakland, while attend- 
ing the Association, tried to increase the spirit of missions among 
the women of our church. It was thought by pastors and ladies 
present on this occasion, that the interest of Foreign Missions 
would be further promoted by forming a Society on the Coast, as 
we were as far removed from the Society of the West, as they were, 
from the Society that had its centre in Boston. 

A meeting was called the following week for the purpose of 
drawing up a Constitution and By-Laws, and nominating officers. 
The day appointed being rainy, only three were present, Mrs. C. T. 
Garthwaite, Mrs. F. M. Conro and Mrs. Wattson. They talked, 
and wrote, and planned, as best they could, for future work. 

The first meeting was held Nov. 14, 1874, in the First Church, 
San Francisco. Plans were made for forming church circles, and 
solicitors appointed in several churches. The Corresponding Sec- 
retary and Treasurer were requested to attend the Association held 
in Vacaville, in May 1874, and p.^esent the work of our Society. 

In our work of half a year, we realized from Oakland, Brook- 
lyn and First Church, San Francisco, $110.70 in gold; $9.00 for 
42 



BAPTIST. 43 

printing was deducted. The balance, changed to currency amount- 
ing to $ii6., was forwarded to Boston. 

The first annual meeting was held March 14, 1876, in the First 
Baptist Church, San Francisco. Addresses were made by Rev. B. 
S. McLafferty, and Mrs. L. N. Knowlton, a returned missionary from 
China. It was a full and happy day ; all felt encouraged in the 
work. For the ten months our receipts amounted to nearly $300. 

Although our Corresponding Secretary sent many letters to the 
churches up and down the coast, it was found almost impossible to 
interest the people in that way ; very few answers were received. 

No Society having been formed in Nevada, Mrs. T. G. Negus 
sent to the Treasurer $5.00 in gold, as an expression of her sympa- 
thy in the work. 

. Our second annual meeting was held in the Oakland church, 
March, 1877. 

Mrs. J. C. Baker accompanied her husband to Oregon to attend 
the Association, for the purpose of representing our work and of 
organizing circles in the churches there represented. Two years 
before this, a circle had been formed in Portland and one in Salem. 

Of this visit Mrs. Warren says, " I recognized the hand of God 
in this movement, and fully realized the impulse Mrs. Baker would 
give the cause by her personal effort, and gladly welcomed her. I 
know we would have done something, had she not come ; but she 
placed the work upon a level which it would have taken us years to 
attain. I think God opened our hearts to feel the need of aid, that 
we might be ready to give her suitable encouragement." A good 
work has been done since by Mrs. Warren. 

Mrs. Grace Green, Vice-President for Washington Territory, 
has been a faithful worker since our organization. In 1875, she re- 
ported circles formed in Olympia and Seattle. Other circles have 
been formed, and the work is increasing in interest. 



44 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

Mrs. M. L. Carter sent a report from Victoria, British Colum- 
bia, in 1878 ; and seven dollars as the first collection from their cir- 
cle. We expect Idaho will soon join us in this good work. 

In the seven and a half years of our existence, we have sent 
$4,237.83 to the Missionary Union at Boston. It is a small sum 
for a Society established so long as ours : yet we do not feel dis- 
couraged, but hope much may be accomplished by our united efforts. 
Our motto shall be, " All the Wide World for Christ." 

Mrs. M. E. Wattson. 
July, 1882. 

OFFICERS. 

Prgstdeni.--M.rs, B. S. McLafferty. 

r For California, Mrs. O. W. Gates, 
rrv,. z>^^ -J V- J '* Oregon, Mrs. J. Pierce. 

Vice-Presidents.- \ ,, ^^?^^l Mrs. C. L. Fisher. 

t " Washington Territory, Mrs. G. W. Green. 
Recording Secretary. — Mrs. D. K. Woodbridge. 
Corresponding Secretary. — Mrs. F. M. Conro. 
Treasurer. — Mrs. M. K. Wattson. 



FREE BAPTIST WOMAN'S MISSIONARY 

SOCIETY. 

In the autumn of 1847, the women of the Free Baptist denom- 
ination, at a session of its triennial General Conference held in 
Sutton, Vt., entered into an organization known as the Free Bap- 
tist Female Mission Society. Organizations were soon formed, in 
nearly all the Yearly Meetings, auxiliary to the general society ; 
in the Quarterly Meetings, auxiliary to the yearly meetings ; in the 
churches, auxiliary to the quarterly meetings ; or, where church 
societies could not be sustained, solicitors were appointed to secure 
and collect weekly pledges from the members, both men and 
women. 

It was an organization for the work of circulating missionary 
intelligence and collecting money for the Free Baptist Home and 
Foreign Missionary Societies. It continued in active operation 
over twenty years and did much good and effective service. It was 
never formally dissolved. Its leaders, from change of circumstances, 
were unable to continue the carrying forward the work, and their 
places not being supplied, the meetings of the general organizations 
were neglected. There were, however, a few bright exceptions where 
yearly and quarterly meetings and church societies continued to 
exist, and are still bearing fruit under the later organizations. 

In the year 1873, our India band of workers, always weak in 
numbers, had been sadly reduced by sickness and death. The sur- 
viving missionaries appealed to the women to reanimate the society 

45 



46 woman's missio^w'ary societies. 

that had languished or to form a new one. Their appeal found them 
already moving in the matter. 

The women's societies that had then been recently formed in 
the larger denominations had taken advanced ground from that oc- 
cupied by our former society. So when the women met in conven- 
tion, at a session of the New Hampshire Yearly Meeting, held in 
Sandwich, June, 1873, to consider the question of organization, 
they decided that instead of remaining merely a channel through 
which funds were to flow, that they would take the advanced 
ground, select and support their own missionaries, with the appro- 
bation of the Foreign Mission Board. The Society was organized 
June II, 1873 ; and the constitution then adopted, with a few modi- 
fications, has continued the one by which it is governed. 

The Free Baptist denomination had always been intensely 
anti-slavery ; consequently, as soon as emancipation took place, the 
sympathies of its women were actively enlisted in behalf of their 
down-trodden southern sisters. So in framing the constitution, they 
were carefully remembered. The Free Baptist mission at Harper's 
Ferry, West Va., with its college charter and normal school for freed- 
men and freed-women, offered it an inviting field, which it was not 
slow to occupy. 

Finding the girls crowded in quarters close almost to suffoca- 
tion, it undertook to erect a boarding hall, whose foundations had 
been laid by others some years previously, when a failure of funds 
arrested the work. The effort proved a success, and Myrtle Hall 
stands now a monument of the Society's labor. Later it has 
helped in the erection of Anthony Hall, containing recitation-rooms, 
library and chapel. It has also assisted many of the girls to pro- 
long their stay in the school, and sustains some of the teachers. 
Recently it has begun to make appropriations for home mission 
work, especially in the frontier States. 



FREE BAPTIST. 47 

In January, 1878, the first number of The Missionary Helper^ a 
bi-monthly magazine was issued by the Society. It has a circulation 
of thirty-six hundred copies. It is published in Providence, Rhode 
Island, and is edited by Mrs. J. M. Brewster, and enters upon its 
sixth year as a monthly publication having obtained an honorable 
place among missionary literature. 

About two hundred and eighty auxiliary societies and children's 
bands form the constituency, most of which are in New England. 
Many other women's societies are in sympathy in churches west of 
New England, but these are generally auxiliary to their respective 
State Associations, through whose treasuries most of their funds 
flow to the Free Baptist Foreign Missionary Society and to Home 
Mission work within their own boundaries. The aggregate amount 
of its receipts, since its formation, is J23, 941.21. 

It is now sustaining five missionaries in India and two mission- 
ary teachers at Harper's Ferry. It is also largely aiding the work 
at all our India stations, in employing native christian teachers in 
the zenanas, and in the Day-schools. It has a large number of chil- 
dren from the lowest strata of heathen society taught in the Ragged 
schools at Midnapore, under the care of Mrs. Dr. J. L. Phillips \ it 
is establishing an Industrial school at the same place, and a Sanita- 
rium in the Himalayas. It also has the care of an Orphanage at 
Jellasore. 

Each year since the organization of the Society, there has been 
a steady increase of receipts, and a constantly deepening interest 
in the work of extending the Redeemer's kingdom. More clearly 
is heard the call which summons women to the glorious privileges 
of this nineteenth century to organize for the overthrow of ignorance 
and oppression. 

Through our regiment is small, yet ** in the name of the Lord 
have we set up our banner," and we hope to press on with a steady 



48 



WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 



march, in union with the grand phalanx of workers, to certain 
victory, and to a shout in the grand song of triumph. 

Mrs. M. M. H. Hills. 

October, 1882. 

OFFICERS, 

President. — Mrs. E. S. Burlingame, Providence, R. I. 
Recording Secretary. — Mrs. J. L. Tourtelott, Providence, R. I. 
Corresponding Secretary.— Mrs. J. A. Lowell, Danville, N. H. 
rr c. ^ • ( Mrs. V. G. Ramsey, North Berwick, Me. 

Home Secretaries. - j ,, l-^^-^ ^^^^^^^ Qx^n, Gilbert's Mills, N. Y. 

Treasurer. — Miss Laura A. DeMeritte, Dover, N. H. 

Editor and Publisher of the Missionary Helper. — Mrs. J. M. Brewster, Providence, R. I* 



Missionaries of the Free Baptist Woman's Missionary 
Society, 1874-82, 



Missionaries. 


^5 

1 

< 


Station. 


Home. 


By what District 
Supported. 


Miss Susan R. Libbey*. 


1874 


Balasore, India. 


Dover, N. H. 




" Ida O.Phillips.... 


1877 


(t it 


Hillsdale, Mich. 


By Children's Bands. 


«« Hattie P. Phillips.. 


1878 


Jellasore, " , 


Chicago, 111. 


Rhode Island. 


*« Mary E. Bacheler . 


1882 


Midnapore, " 


New Hampton, N. H. 


Maine Western. 


Mrs. D. F. Smith 


1882 


Balasore, " 


Manchester, N. H. 


Vermont. 


Miss Lovina C Coombs. 


1882 


Not yet stationed. 


Lewislon, Me. 


Maine Central. 


" Lura E. Brackett . . 


1874 


Harper's Ferry, W.Va. 


Phillips, Me. 


New Hampshire. 


«* Coralie L. Franklin, 


1880 


<( (( (( 


Harper>s Ferry, W.Va. 


Rhode Island. 



* Died June 24, 1878, at Contai, India* 



CONGREGATIONAL WOMAN'S BOARD 
OF MISSIONS. 

EARLIEST RECORDS. 

The earliest mention of a Woman's Missionary Society in the 
Congregational Church is that of the " Boston Female Society for 
Promoting the Diffusion of Christian Knowledge," in 1801. Its 
object was to raise funds to pass over to the " Massachusetts Mis- 
sionary Society " which was of the same denomination, formed in 
1799. The design of this latter organization was "to diffuse the 
gospel among the people in the newly settled parts of our country, 
among the Indians, and through more distant regions, as circum- 
stances shall invite, and the ability of the Society shall admit." 

A year later, mention is made of cent Societies formed among 
women, also contributing to the same general Society. Many of 
these contributions were to be used specially for foreign missions, 
or, as the word foreign, was then understood — to the Aborigines 
of our own country. The foreign department of the Massachusetts 
Missionary Society gradually acquired more and more importance 
till it was absorbed by the formation of the American Board. The 
original organization then assumed the form of a distinctive Home 
Society which it retains to this day, as the American Home Mission- 
ary Society. The cent Societies we find contributing to the Amer- 
ican Board immediately after its organization ; and, as early as 18 12, 
mention is made of contributions from a Woman's Foreign Mission- 
ary Society in New Haven, Conn. This Society in New Haven 
was soon followed by others similar to it, till in 1839, there were 
six hundred and eighty of these " Auxiliaries," 

In the meantime maternal Associations had been established 

49 



50 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

in different places. The first of these was started by Mrs. Edward 
Payson, in Portland, Maine, in 1815 ; the second in the Old South 
Church, in Boston, in 18 16. Connected widi these Associations, 
which soon multiplied quite extensively, were a large number of 
children who were regular attendants at their Quarterly Meetings 
and who were trained . to work for missions : in many of these, 
money was raised for the education of a heathen child. These 
organizations flourished till 1842, when they began to decline and, 
by i860, became nearly extinct. The female Auxiliaries of the 
American Board, being mainly in the hands of collectors and having 
no provision in their organization for nurture and perpetuity had 
also declined, so that there were comparatively few in existence. 

At about this time, a number of Christian women were provi- 
dentially called to revive the maternal Associations and they also 
thought it incumbent upon them to reawaken an interest among 
children in the conversion of the world. For this object, a mothers* 
meeting, under the auspices of the Union Maternal Association of 
Boston, was held for eight consecutive years, by permission of the 
American Board, in connection with its Annual Meeting. This proved 
instrumental in quickening Christian mothers' to consecrate their 
children to Christ, and themselves to the salvation of heathen women. 
The interest thus aroused prepared the way, in great measure, for the 
formation of the Woman's Board and its subsequent success. 

The American Board began its efforts to reach heathen women 
through the labors of single ladies very early in its history. In 
18 1 7 two ladies were already teaching among the Indians, and 
between that date and iS6o no less than one hundred and four were 
engaged in the same work. In addition to these, there were thirty- 
six laboring in other fields. Special interest in this particular 
department was first awakened in Christian lands by Rev. David 
Abeel, a missionary of the A. B. C. F. M. His efforts in England 



CONGREGATIONAL. 5 1 

led to the formation of the Society for the Promotion of Female 
Education in the East, in 1834, and of other kindred organizations 
through which a good work has been accomplished. Upon this 
model, in part, and at the suggestion of the missionary just named, 
the Woman's Union Missionary Society of New York was organized. 

ORIGIN OF THE PRESENT SOCIETY. 

By a singular providence, just at the close of our late war, 
when the talents and energies of the women of the country had 
been largely developed in alleviating its miseries, and were thus 
prepared to be transferred to a new field of action, the great Head 
of the Church inaugurated the work now being done by Woman's 
Boards. Missionaries in the foreign field, societies at home sus- 
taining them, and many Christians in our churches, were simultan- 
eously led by the Holy Ghost to the conviction that the time had 
come for special efforts in behalf of heathen women. 

In 1867, a few women in Boston were deeply affected by the 
tidings borne on almost every breeze from foreign shores, that 
the barriers which had impeded the giving of the Gospel to their 
pagan sisters were breaking down. Recognizing the guiding 
hand of God in these opening doors, they felt an increased re- 
sponsibility to obey the last command of their risen Lord. They 
had also been interested in reading from " The Missionary Link" 
accounts of the work in India, under the auspices of the Woman's 
Union Missionary Society in New York, and rejoiced in the evi- 
dence that the Master had greatly owned and blessed their labors. 
They were convinced, however, that to meet the enlarged demands 
of their sex, then becoming accessible to woman, and in many 
fields to her only, there should be a united effort of Christian 
women throughout the country. How this could be most ef- 



52 woman's missionary societies. 

fectually accomplished, was a question that weighed heavily upon 
their hearts. Stated meetings for prayer and conference were 
held, and a plan devised and adopted for correspondence and visi- 
tation, to awaken and secure a general interest in the subject. 
Eight months were spent in communication by letter, or by per- 
sonal calls on the secretaries of foreign missionary societies, on 
returned missionaries, and on the wisest counsellors of the 
churches. 

It was believed, that in the progress of missions, an independ- 
ent woman's society was inadequate to meet all the needs of 
the work now evidently opening. Faith beholding converts flock- 
ing to Christ '' as doves to their windows," it seemed impera- 
tive that new female societies should be associated with existing 
missionary boards having already organized churches, through 
which believers could receive the ordinances and the privileges 
of the stated ministry. It was also apparent, that becoming aux- 
iliary to such organizations, the work would be conducted more 
economically, and with greater success. 

At first a union of denominations was contemplated. While 
much interest was manifested by the different evangelical boards 
in the movement, the American Board of Commissioners for 
Foreign Missions alone responded, by formal propositions devel- 
oping a plan by which the women, in sympathy with their work, 
could co-operate with them in attaining the proposed end. 

ORGANIZATION. 

On the first Tuesday of January, 1868, about forty ladies rep- 
resenting the Congregational churches in Boston and vicinity, met 
in the Old South Chapel, Freeman Place, to consider the subject 
of organization in connection with the American Board. Con- 
vened, as they believed, by the Divine Spirit, they earnestly in- 



CONGREGATIONAL. 



53 



quired, " Lord, what will thou have us to do?" with unwavering 
faith that He would direct. The Word was read, "Fear not, I 
will help thee. Fear thou not, for I am with thee. Be not dis- 
mayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will 
help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my 
righteousness ;" and the united cry went up, " O Lord, remem- 
ber this word unto thy handmaids, on which thou has caused 
them to hope." 

The degradation and woes of heathen women were describ- 
ed by returned missionary ladies, Mrs. Winslow of the Madura 
Mission, and Mrs. Dr. Butler, missionary of the M. E. Church 
in Northern India. It was shown that their condition had always 
interposed an insuperable obstacle to the spread of the gospel ; 
while many encouraging facts were given to prove that a wide 
and effectual door was being opened for their evangelization. 
Mrs. Butler expressed her sympathy with the object of the meet- 
ing, and stated that her husband's heart was set upon carrying out 
in his own church the plan now proposed, of sending out single 
women to labor for their own sex. In Northern>India, the only 
way of reaching the* women was through the wives of missiona- 
ries, who, with their own family cares, were wholly unequal to 
the work. It was her opinion that a wide and effectual door of 
usefulness was open to women without domestic cares. 

A statement of the work of the eight previous months, which 
had culminated in this meeting, also the propositions of the 
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, togeth- 
er with a letter from Dr. Clark, the Foreign Secretary, setting 
forth strongly the need of such a movement, were presented and 
freely discussed. It was deemed very significant, that while earn- 
est calls were being addressed to the American Board for female 
laborers to go abroad, well educated Christian women were offer- 



54 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

ing to go. Additional means were needed to send them ; and a 
strong appeal was made to furnish these. Shall the devoted, 
zealous young sisters, ready to go, be sent? was one of the grave 
questions of the occasion ; while the claims of those sitting in 
"• the region and shadow of death," were freely admitted. The 
voice of the meeting was as follows : "• Grateful for living in such 
an age, and in view of the sublime possibilities of the hour, we 
will, by sympathy, prayer, labor and contributions, band togeth- 
er and engage in the blessed work of giving the bread of life to 
the perishing." The pathway of the future looked dark, but there 
was light for a first step, and sanctified courage to take it. A res- 
olution was offered to form a society " co-operating with the 
American Board in its several departments of labor for the ben- 
efit of our sex in heathen lands." This was adopted by a rising 
vote. It was a moment never to be forgotten ; for just then was 
felt the presence and power of the Holy Ghost, and some were 
conscious of a new baptism of missionary zeal, the effects of 
which remain to the present time. Committees of ladies were 
appointed to prepare a constitution and list of officers ; and on 
the ensuing week at the same place, the New England Women's 
Foreign Missionary Society was organized. 

By the special request of leading members of other denomi- 
national boards, and in accordance with the original plan of union 
of evangelical sects, the first article of the constitution was adopt- 
ed as follows : — 

**The object of this Society is to engage the earnest, systematic co- 
operation of the women of New England, with the existing boards for 
Foreign Missions, in sending out and supporting unmarried female mission- 
aries and teachers to heathen women." 

While there was to be union under the organization. In con- 
ference, prayer, and the home department of work, the treasurer 



CONGREGATIONAL. 



55 



was to keep a denominational account, crediting each religious 
body composing the union with the sums received from its con- 
stituents, and paying the aggregate amount to the Foreign Mis- 
sionary Society with which it was connected. 

Before the close of January, the society was in active oper- 
ation. It was a day of beginnings. Not one missionary in the 
field, not an auxiliary society to rest upon, only a few women, full 
of faith and zeal, — only these, and God. By the third of Febru- 
ary, "over five hundred dollars had been raised in the Boston 
churches, and on that day the first missionary was adopted — Mrs. 
Mary K. Edwards, already under appointment by the American 
Board for the Zulu Mission. In March, a circular was issued 
and sent to every Congregational church in the country, follow- 
ed in September by another, from which is taken the following 
paragraph: " While the fact is mentioned with gratitude, that 
responses to our first circular, issued some months since, have 
been received from Maine to Minnesota, and from California, it 
is regarded also as a sanction of the Holy Spirit, who has thus 
blessed our undertaking, by preparing so many hearts to help it 
forward.'* Thus in the beginning the foundation was laid broad 
and deep. 

In the incipient stage of the enterprise, the membership knew 
not whereunto It was called ; and a few months sufficed, by the 
great enlargement of the work, to show that it would be wiser 
for the ladies of each denomination to co-operate separately with 
their own Foreign Missionary Board. 

CHANGE OF COXSTITUTION. 

At a meeting called for the purpose in September of the 
same year, the Constitution was altered, limiting the labors of the 
Society to the fields of the American Board. The restriction of 



56 woman's missionary societies. 

work to New England was also removed by changing the name 
to that of Woman's Board of Missions, whereby ladies in any 
part of the land, in sympathy with the American Board, could 
become auxiliary to its work. 

first year's progress. 
The Society came to Its first Annual Meeting In Mt. Vernon 
Church, Boston, January 5, 1869. It was a stormy day and the 
streets well-nigh impassable ; but the more than six hundred 
ladies who had come, not only from suburban towns, but from 
other States, to be present, showed that the cause had taken deep 
root in the hearts of Christian women. It was a thanksgiving 
meeting, and already with grateful hearts they were saying, 
"What hath God wrought!" An income of $5,033.13 was 
reported by the treasurer. Seven mlssionari^es were in the field, 
and eleven Bible-readers adopted. One hundred and twenty- 
nine life-members were enrolled in the books, and those who 
loved the cause thanked God and took courage. 

incorporation of the w. b. m. 

In March, 1869, the Woman's Board of Missions was incor- 
porated by the Legislature of Massachusetts, with the right to 
hold property to the amount of two hundred thousand dollars. 
It has received by legacies over twenty-five thousand dollars, to con- 
stitute a permanent fund to be held in trust, the income of which 
is annually to be appropriated for the purposes of its organiza- 
tion. The Board has also quite a large contingent fund derived 
from legacies of less than five thousand dollars, held in reserve 
for buildings. The exact connection of the Society with the 
American Board, is set forth in the third section of this Act of In- 
corporation which reads : — 



CONGREGATIONAL. 



57 



** The object and purpose of this corporation shall be to collect, re- 
ceive and hold money given by voluntary contributions, donations, be- 
quests or otherwise, to be exclusively expended in sending out and sup- 
porting such unmarried females as the Prudential Committee of the Amer- 
ican Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions shall, under the recom- 
mendation of the Board of Directors of this corporation, designate and ap- 
point as assistant missionaries for the Christianization of women in foreign 
lands; and for the support of such other female helpers in the missionary 
work, as may be selected by the Board of Directors, with the approbation 
of the said Prudential Committee." 

PUBLICATIONS. 

The month of March, 1869, was also memorable for the is- 
sue of the first number of the magazine, '' Life and Light for 
Heathen Women," published quarterly by the Board. During 
the four years of its existence, as a quarterly, its circulation 
increased to seven thousand, and its income defrayed all its expens- 
es, together with those of the home department of the work. 
The " Children's Quarterly," '' Echoes " from it, was first publish- 
ed in June, 1870. These periodicals were changed to monthly 
publications in January, 1873. In 1876, the Children's Depart- 
ment was taken from " Life and Light,'' leaving the much need- 
ed space for other matter, and published in connection with ''The 
Well Spring," a children's paper issued by the Congregational 
Publishing Society. The present circulation of" Life and Light" 
is a little less than thirteen thousand. 

BUSINESS ROOM. 

In June, 1869, a room for business purposes was kindly of- 
fered in the Missionary House, Pemberton Square. In the next 
Annual Report, we find the following record : " So enlarged has 
been the work, and increased the public interest in the cause, that 
during some days there have been upwards of sixty calls upon 



5 8 woman's missionary societies. 

the Secretary on matters of business." Thus has this provision, 
made without expense to the organization, proved itself a neces- 
sity, and been an evident means of enlarging its operations. In 
February, 1873, the Woman's Board removed to its present quar- 
ters, Nos. I and 2 Congregational House, Boston. 

RESULTS. 

When the Woman's Board was formed, three aims were set 
before it : — 

1. By extra funds, efforts and prayers, to co-operate with 
the American Board in its several departments of labor for the 
benefit of women and children in heathen lands. 

2. To disseminate missionary intelligence and increase a 
missionary spirit among Christian women at home. 

3. To train children to interest and participation in the 
work. 

In estimating the progress made in these different direc- 
tions, the records will speak for themselves. There are now con- 
nected with the Woman's Board sixty-eight missionaries, fifty- 
eight Bible-women, nineteen boarding schools, besides the Homes 
in Constantinople, Kioto and Osaka in Japan, Madura in India, 
and among the Dakota Indians. These schools contain, in all, 
about eight hundred pupils. There are also forty-nine village 
and day schools with about one thousand pupils. Of these, five 
missionaries, one Bible-reader, and two boarding schools are in 
the Zulu Mission, South Africa ; twenty-nine missionaries, thirty- 
four Bible-readers, eight boarding schools, besides the Constanti- 
nople Home, and thirty-four day schools in Turkey; sixteen mis- 
sionaries, twenty-eight Bible-readers, seven boarding schools, be- 
sides the Madura Home, and eleven day schools in India and 
Ceylon ; four missionaries, one Bible-reader, one boarding school 



CONGREGATIONAL. 



59 



and two day schools in China ; ten missionaries and the Kioto 
and Osaka Homes in Japan ; four missionaries, one boarding 
school and one day school in Papal lands ; a missionary in Mi- 
cronesia and two at the Home among the Dakota Indians, In 
buildings, the Board has erected a " Home" in Constantinople, 
at a cost of $58,000.00, which is designed to combine evangelistic 
and medical work with a school for the higher education of Turk- 
ish women ; six thousand dollars was raised in centennial offer- 
ings — mostly by children — for a Home in Kioto, Japan ; and ap- 
propriations of from five hundred to three thousand dollars for 
new buildings, or for large additions, have been made in each of 
the following places : Inanda and Umzumbi, So. Africa ; Marso- 
van, Aintab, Harpoot, Turkey ; Madura, India ; Osaka, Japan ; 
and for the Dakotas at the Santee Agency, Nebraska. 

The second aim set before the Society at its formation, was to 
disseminate intelligence and increase missionary zeal among 
Christian women at home. This the Board has endeavored to do 
through the press, through social and public meetings, and 
through personal effort. To do this systematically, the territory 
under its jurisdiction, including about nineteen hundred churches 
and one hundred and sixty-five thousand church members, has 
been divided into Branch Societies and Conference Associations. 
Each of these organizations has its regularly elected officers, and 
comprises from fifteen to one hundred and fifty auxiliary societies 
and mission circles among the children. This system has been 
so far completed that efficient ladies have been appointed to pro- 
mote the work in all the churches, each one having charge of from 
ten to thirty churches, calling to her aid such others as she thinks 
best. These ladies report regularly to officers of State Branches, 
or to the Parent Board in Boston. 

There are now connected with the Society, eighteen Branches 



6o woman's missionary societies. 

and fifteen Conference Associations, covering the whole of our 
territory, whose aggregate number of auxiliaries and mission cir- 
cles, amount to over thirteen hundred. Under the auspices of 
these organizations, hundreds of meetings are held every year, 
some of them filling large churches to their utmost capacity. 
Through their influence much attention is now given to the study 
of the missionary work in its various aspects ; many original pa- 
pers are written, many prayers offered. Periodicals and news- 
papers are searched for items that bear on the missionary cause ; 
libraries are ransacked for facts on the history, manners, customs 
and religions of heathen nations, and a thirst for knowledge 
seems to be created that must result in increased interest. To 
supply this demand for information, a Bureau of Exchange has 
been recently established, with a Secretary at its head, through 
which papers or letters read in one auxiliary, may be made of 
service to any others that may wish to apply for them. 

Through the press, the last ten years, more than forty millions 
of pages have been published in periodicals and leaflets, and tens 
of thousands of circulars and reports been issued. The treasury 
which supplies the life-blood of the work has so far kept pace 
with it. The total receipts for 1877, were $84,656.35, an in- 
crease of nearly $10,000 over any previous year. Since the be- 
ginning, exclusive of more than $45,000 received for " Life and 
Light," the funds have amounted to about $475,000.00. The 
home expenses, of the first ten years, have been about $9,000, or 
less than two per cent, on the receipts. 

Not the least important department of the Board, is the train- 
ing of children to be missionary workers. During the ten years 
their contributions to the treasury, from sales and festivals, from 
missionary garden flowers and fruits, from patient stitches in 
neatly sewed garments, and from penny collections, have amount- 



CONGREGATIONAL. 6 1 

ed to over $50,000. Their present efficiency, however, sinks into 
insignificance in comparison w^ith the hopes for their future, 
when the seed now so carefully sown shall develop into the strong, 
intelligent missionary interest of men and women. To stimulate 
this interest, there are connected with the Board between four and 
five hundred mission circles, with an average of from twenty to 
thirty members, making an army of nearly ten thousand children 
who have joined the missionary crusade. 

This, in brief, is the history of the Woman's Board of Mis- 
sions during its first decade. Its aim for the future is to secure 
the organization, nurture and constant growth of an auxiliary so- 
ciety in every Congregational church within its territory ; at home 
and abroad, 

" To stretch our habitations, 

Lengthen cords and strengthen stakes, 
Till Christ's kingdom, of the nations 

One unbroken household makes." 

Towards this mark it is pressing forward with an earnest pur- 
pose and with humble reliance on the Great Head of the Church, 
under whose guidance it is believed that the present point has 
been reached, and through whose blessing alone the ultimate goal 
shall be attained. 

ORIGINAL BOARD OF OFFICERS. 

President. — Mrs. Albert Bowker. 
Vice Presidents, — M.VS. R. Anderson, Mrs. N. G. Clark, Mrs. S. B. Treat, and Mrs. 

Charles Stoddard. 
Corresponding^ Secretaries, — Mrs. Miron Winslow, 107 Boylston Street, Boston, and 
Mrs. Pavid C. Scudder, 9 Brookline Street, Boston. 
Recording- Secretary. — Mrs. J. A. Copp, Chelsea. 
Treasurer, -~ Mrs. Homer Bartlett, 25 Marlboro Street, Boston. 

PRESENT BOARD OF OFFICERS. 
President. -^ Mrs. Albert Bowker. 

Corresponding Secretaries. — Miss Ellen Carruth and Mrs* G?. B. Putnam, Boston* 
Recording Secretary. — Mrs. J. A. Copp, Chelsea. ' 
Home Secretary, — Miss Abbie B. Child, Boston, 
Treasurer. — Mrs. Benjamin E. Bates. 
A ssistarU Treasurer, — Miss Emma Carnith. 



62 woman's missionary societies. 



Congregational Womans' Board of Missions, 
1878-82. 

At the present time of writing, December, 1882, the statistics 
of the Board are as follows : • — 

The number of missionaries have increased from sixty-eight to 
one hundred and one.; the Bible-women, from fifty-eight to eighty- 
one ; boarding-schools, from nineteen to twenty-two, — besides the 
five Homes mentioned, — containing about a thousand pupils ; vil- 
lage day schools, from forty-nine to one hundred and twenty-three, 
containing about twenty-five hundred pupils. 

At home, the number of Branches has increased from eighteen 
to twenty-one ; the Conference Associations have been reduced to 
three, most of those previously reported having grown to Branches 
or combined with others in the formation of Branches. The pres- 
ent aggregate number of organizations is about fourteen hundred. 
Of the periodicals, the circulation of Life and Light has increased 
from thirteen to seventeen thousand. The arrangement of a page 
in the Weil-Spring terminated in 1881, when a new monthly. The 
Mission Day- Spring, was started jointly with the American Board. 
This has reached a circulation of thirteen thousand five hundred. 
The receipts of the Board for 1881 were $119,958.86, against 
$84,656.35 in 1877. The total of receipts since the beginning, 
aside from about $81,000 received for Life and Light, amounts to 
about $940,000. 



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65 



WOMAN'S BOARD OF MISSIONS OF THE 
INTERIOR. 

In the autumn of 1868, several ladies of the Congregational 
and Presbyterian churches of Chicago and vicinity, stimulated by 
the successful inauguration of organized work for missions by 
their sisters at the East, and feeling the need of a similar move- 
ment in this centre of influence, issued a call for a Woman's Mis- 
sionary Convention, to be held in Chicago, in October of the same 
year, to consider the expediency of a permanent organization. 
The invitation met with a cordial response, and resulted in the for- 
mation of a Woman's Board of Missions of the Interior, to co- 
operate with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
Missions. Mrs. Charles G. Hammond was elected Treasurer. 

Mrs. Hammond resigned before the close of the year, and 
Mrs. J. V. Farwell was elected her successor. The receipts for 
the year, as reported at the first annual meeting in Chicago, No- 
vember 4, 1869, were $4,096.77 ; number of life members fifty- 
two ; auxiliaries seventy. The Board had assumed the support 
of six missionaries, two native Bible-readers, and four pupils in 
mission schools. 

At the second annual meeting held in Detroit, Mich., Nov. 
3, 1870, the receipts were reported as $8,410.19 ; number of mis- 
sionaries thirteen ; number of Bible-readers eleven, and twelve 
pupils in schools had also received aid from the treasury. At 
that meeting a proposition was received from the Woman's Board 

66 



CONGREGATIONAL. 6/ 

of Missions at the East, that we share with them in the editorial 
duties connected with their magazine, " Life and Light," pub- 
lished quarterly. The offer was accepted, and in order to meet 
the additional expense involved in the proposed enlargement, the 
members of the Board pledged themselves to make special efforts 
to increase its circulation in the Western States. 

Until this time, societies auxiliary to this Board had been 
formed in both Congregational and Presbyterian churches, and 
the two denominations had nearly an equal representation in the 
list of officers. But on account of the recent union of the Old 
and New School Presbyterian churches, and the re-organization of 
their Board of Foreign Missions, the question now arose whether 
the way was not open for the development of woman's agency 
in missions, in immediate connection with that body. Soon after 
the meeting at Detroit, the Presbyterian ladies, officially connect- 
ed with the W. B. M. I., yielding to earnest appeals from minis- 
ters and others, resigned their positions, that they might take up 
similar service in a kindred association in their own church. Re- 
luctantly the ties were severed that for two years had united us 
so harmoniously and satisfactorily, and in January, 1870, a meet- 
ing was called for filling the vacancies thus occasioned. Mrs. W. 
A. Bartlett was chosen Corresponding Secretary in place of Mrs, 
Wm. Blair, and Miss M. E. Greene, Recording Secretary in the 
place of Mrs. Laflin ; Mrs. Francis Bradley succeeded Mrs. J. V. 
Farwell as Treasurer. Similar changes occurred among the vice 
presidents and managers. 

The third annual meeting which had been appointed for the 
first Thursday in November, 1871, was, on account of the great 
fire which desolated Chicago early in October, postponed till 
April, 1872. Notwithstanding the changes that had taken place 
in the constituency of the Board, its records as presented at that 



58 woman's missionary societies. 

meeting, showed most cheering evidences of growth in the work 
both at home and abroad. The expense of three boarding schools 
for training pupils of special promise and of more advanced at- 
tainments, had been assumed, the number of missionaries had in- 
creased to fifteen, eleven Bible readers were aided, and tw^enty- 
four pupils in village and day schools. The number of auxiliaries, 
notv^ithstanding the withdrawal of nearly all connected with Pres- 
byterian churches, had increased from ninety-nine to one hundred 
and sixty-six, while the receipts for the year ending Nov. i, 1871? 
$9,351.62, were considerably in advance of those of the previous 
year. 

In January, 1873, was begun the monthly issue of Life and 
Light, 

In November, 1873, the Board was incorporated under the 
laws of Illinois. 

During the years 1875-6, we were favored with the cordial 
co-operation of the Woman's Board of the Pacific, and all its con- 
tributions for foreign work passed through our treasury. The 
growth of the churches in that section of the country, and the de- 
velopment of missionary interest, have since encouraged that 
Board in more independent action, and its remittances are now 
made directly to the treasurer of the American Board. 

In 1875, the Home at Kobe, Japan, was erected by our con- 
tributions, at an expense of $4,500, additional to $1,000 donated 
by the Japanese themselves. The building is designed to furnish 
a home for the unmarried ladies at that station, and also to give 
suitable accommodations for a girls' boarding school. 

During the Centennial year, special memorial offerings were 
made for building a health retreat among the mountains near 
Mardin, Eastern Turkey, at a cost of $1,200, for aiding in the es- 
tablishment of a Japanese newspaper to the extent of $1,000, and 



CONGREGATIONAL. 69 

for the education of missionaries' children in this country, also 
to the amount of $1,000. Within the last year (1877-8) a con- 
siderable sum has been given for the endowment of the Female 
Department of Armenia College, Harpoot, Turkey. 

The progress of our work in general, both at home and 
abroad, though not all that we have desired, is still ensouraging. 
From year to year we have been able to make an advance in the 
completeness of organization in the different States, in the num- 
ber of auxiliaries and in the amount of receipts. We have now 
in our field of twelve States, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, 
Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Dakota, Kan- 
sas and Colorado ; nine State Branches, including over six hun- 
dred auxiliaries and mission bands. Our receipts last year (1877) 
were $20,852. The total receipts from the beginning have been 
about $130,000. Thirty-seven lady missionaries have been con- 
nected with this Society. Of these, five have returned to this 
country on account of ill health ; one is engaged in hospital work 
in Bulgaria, seven have been transferred to other Boards, and 
three have fallen asleep. We have now twenty-one on our list. 
These missionaries have been located among the Dakota Indians, 
in Mexico, Africa, Asiatic and European Turkey, India, Ceylon, 
China and Japan. 

We now have forty-two native teachers and Bible readers, 
engaged in missionary service. Our educational work is carried 
on by means of six seminaries or boarding schools for training 
native girls as teachers and Bible women, three of which are in 
Asiatic Turkey, one in European Turkey, one in China, and one 
Japan. Also by means of thirty-five village and day schools, 
where elementary instruction is given. 

M. E. Greene, 

Sec. W. B. M. I. 



70 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 



WOxuAn's Board of Missions of the Interior, 
1878-82. 

At this date our missionaries number thirty-five ; the boarding 
and high schools supported by us, eight ; village and day schools, 
thirty-seven ; native teachers, Bible readers, and other helpers, fifty- 
three. Our receipts for the year ending Oct. 15, 1882, were 
$29,897.28. Total receipts since the organization of the Board, 
about $250,000. 

M. E. Greene. 

ORIGINAL LIST OF OFFICERS, 1868. 

Mrs. S. C. Bartlett, Chicago, President. 

*' R. W. Patterson, Chicago, 

** S. J. Humphrey, Chicago, 

•• Julia P. Ballard, Detroit, Mich., 

*' J. S. Farrand, " '\ 

** John Allison, Wilwaukee, Mich., 

" Truman M. Post, St. Louis, Mo., \- Vice-Presidents, 

" J. D. Caton, Ottawa, 

" S. G. Spees, Dubuque, Iowa, 

*' A. G. Rulifson,i Minneapolis, Minn., 

" S. F. Dudley, Winona, Minn. 

" Prof. Allen, Oberlin, Ohio, 

*' Wilham Blair, ^ ^ . ,. o ' . • 

" E. W. Blatchford, i Corresponding Secretaries. 

*' George H. Laflin, Recording Secretary, 
" C. G. Hammond, Terasurer. 

PRESENT LIST OF OFFICERS, 1882. 

Mrs. Moses Smith, President. 

*♦ E. W. Blatchford, ] 
Miss Mary E. Greene, f /-. x j- ^ c j • 

Mrs. G. B WiUcox, f Corresponding Secretaries. 

•* J. F. Temple, J 
Miss M. D. Wingate, Recording Secretary, 
Mrs. J. B. Leake, Treasurer, 



Missionaries of Woman's Board of Missions of the Interior. 



Name. 


App'd. 


Mission Station. 


By whom Supported. 


Miss Mary H. Porter 


1868 


Peking, North China. 


Evanston, 111. 


** Mary A. Thompson t • 


1869 


^^ it 




" Naomi Diament 


1869 


Kalgan, 


Rockford, III. 


*' Jennie E. Chapin.. ... 


1871 


Peking, " 


New Eng'd Ch., Chicago, 111. 


** Jane G. Evans 


1872 


Tung Cho, «' 


Illinois Branch. 


*• Ada Haven 


1879 
1879 


Peking, " 
Kalgan, " 


Union Park Ch., Chicago, 111. 


" Sarah B. Clappt 


" E. A. Claghorn t 


1872 


Foochow, South China. 




« Ella J. Newton 


1878 


(( <« 


Oberlin, Ohio. 


** N. T. Deant 


1869 
1857 
1867 


Ooroomiah. Persia. 




Mrs. T L. Coffin^ 


Hadjin, Central Turkey, 
Aintab, " 


ist Cong. Ch., Detroit, Mich. 
Jackson, Mich. 


Miss Mary G. Hollister 


'• Corinna Shattuck 1 . . . . 


1873 


(( « 




«* Charlotte D. Spencer. . 


1875 


Hadjin, ** 


Michigan Branch. 


** Minnie Brown 


1880 


<( if 


Missouri '* 


«* Laura Tucker 


1880 


(( (( 


(( it 


** ]\Iyra L. Barnes 


1880 


Marash, «* 


Plymouth Ch., Chicago, 111. 


*' EllaC.Doane 


i88x 


u (< 


Michigan Branch. 


** Cvrene O. Van Duzee. 


1868 


Erzroom, Eastern Turkey. 


Nebraska Ladies' Miss. Asso. 


«* Prlscilla Nicholson * . . 


1876 


X « 




" Mary F. Bliss* 


1878 


(( (( 




" Mary E. Brooks 


1881 


Erzroom, ** 




«' Mary P. Wright 


1881 


Harpoot, 


Kansas Branch. 


" Mary M. Patrick 


1871 


Constantinople, West'n Tui'key. 


ist Cong. Ch,. Chicago, 111. 


« Leila C. Parsons 


1873 


Bardesag, *' 


Ohio Branch. 


** Clara D. Lawrence. . . . 


1880 


Manisa, 


ist Church, Toledo, Ohio. 


•* Minnie C. Beach t • • . • 


1869 


Samokov, European Turkey. 




" Esther T. Maltbie 


1870 


«< << 


Ohio Branch. 


Mrs. Anna V. Mumford t • • 


1871 


(( (( 




Miss Martha S. Taylor 


1867 


Mandapasalie, India. 


Wisconsin Branch. 


" Sarah Pollock t 




C( (I 




Miss Mary E. Rendall t 


1870 


Madura, India. 




" Martha A. Anderson f. 


1874 


Ahmednuggur, India. 
Tillipally, Ceylon.^ 




" Hester A. HHlis 


1870 


Iowa Branch. 


* * Laura A • Day 


1870 


Adams, South Africa. 


Davenport Association, Iowa. 


" Martha J. Lindleyt... 


Inanda, " 


** Mary E. Pinkerton ... 


1874 


Umzumbi, " 


Eastern Conference, Mich. 


" Julia E. Dudley 


1873 


Kobe, Japan. 


Illinois Branch. 


*♦ Alice J. Starkweather t, 


1875 


Kioto, " 




* ' M artha J . Barrows .... 


1876 


Kobe, " 


Minnesota ** 


«* H. F.Parmelee 


1877 


Kioto, " 


Ohio " 


" E. Louise Kellogg .... 


1880 


Osaka, *' 


Missouri ** 


** Lillie S. Cathcart 


1881 


Kusaie, Micronesia. 


Minnesota ** 


** J. Estelle Fletcher.... 


1882 


Ponape, " 




Mrs. > dna M . Watkins t . • . 


1872 


Guadalajara, Mexico. 




Miss Lizzie Bishop * 


1874 


Fort Sully, Dakota Territory. 




" Mary C. Collins 


1875 


« « 


Ohio " 


" Emma F.Whipple*.. 


1875 


(( (( 




** Louise M. Irvine 


187S 


(( (t 


Michigan ** 


Mrs. Adele M. Curtis t 


187s 


Lisseton Agency, ** 




" J.B.Renville 




li «( 


Ohio " 


Miss Myra C. Calhoun t* • • • 


1877 


Fort Berthold, " 




'• Eda L. Ward 


1880 


«« it 


Wisconsin ** 


** Emily M. Brown 


1882 


Kobe, Japan. 


« Belle M. Haskins 


1882 


Guadalajara, Mexico. 




" Virginia C. Murdock . . 


1881 


Kalgan, North China. 





* Deceased. 



t Not now connected with this Board. 

71 



WOMAN'S BOARD OF MISSIONS OF 
THE PACIFIC. 

There are two rriissionary societies towards the setting-sun 
whose initials are W. B. M. P., one the " Woman's Board of Mis- 
sions for the Pacific " isles^ whose centre is Honolulu, the other the 
" Woman's Board of Missions for the Pacific" coast ^ centred in San 
Francisco. This latter society, which we represent, embraces the 
states of California, Oregon and Nevada, and Washington Terri- 
tory. In these states and territories there are eighty-five church- 
es, in about thirty-five of which we have an auxiliary society to 
the Woman's Board. This Board was organized in 1874, in Santa 
Cruz, California, at the meeting of the General Association. 

With some trembling and hesitation, and possibly with some 
lack of faith, this work was entered upon. The still pioneer state 
of religious enterpa'ises on this coast, the lack of gospel privileges 
in many of the large counties in our states, led many to ask, 
Does duty lead us in this direction ? 

We were soon brought to feel that the unerring Hand had 
led us ; was leading us into this very work. What was begun in 
weakness has been carried on with some degree of success. 

We at first co-operated with the " Woman's Board of the In- 
terior," with whom we have had the most pleasant relations, and, 
although we are now working independently, we shall never cease 

72 



CONGREGATIONAL. 73 

to remember the sisterly and Christian intercourse we have had 
with the ladies of the Interior. With them we co-operated in the 
building of the Home for girls in Kobi, gave $400 to the Bridg- 
man school in Peking, and contributed towards Mrs. Watl<:ins' sal- 
ary in Mexico. As we are an incorporated society, it was after a 
while thought best that we work and plan independently and com- 
municate directly with the secretaries of the American Board. 

In 1876, we assumed the entire support of Mrs. Watkins, who 
with her husband was then in Mexico. In labors more abundant, 
in perils oft, they kept on in their beloved work, until their com- 
panion, Stevens, fell by their side, and their own health was so 
broken as to be compelled to return to America, where they are 
still waiting anxiously for sufficient health to permit them to re- 
sume their labors. In the same year, 1876, we also assumed the 
support of Miss Starkweather, a young lady from Elgin, Illinois, 
whom the Lord had led to consecrate herself to the mission work 
in Japan. In March of this year, we had the pleasure of greeting 
her face to face, and in a meeting which we shall long remember, 
of hearing from her own lips, the story of her consecration to the 
Master's service. At that time, when we were in such an atmos- 
phere of faith, that all things seemed possible, we also adopted 
Miss Rappelye, then of the Constantinople Home. She had been 
a most esteemed teacher in Oakland, Cal., and carried with her 
rare qualifications and experience for her future mission work. 
She is now hard at work at Brooza, among the girls who are seek- 
ing for the true light in that ancient city. We are looking forward 
to, and working for a building, for Miss R.'s school, which is 
greatly needed for her increasing work. And so the summing up 
of our work is three missionaries and one school. But three? but 
one.? we hear some one at the East say, comparing their own en- 
larged and extended work with ours. 



74 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

But It will not be considered unseemly to say that In the past, 
our average contributions per member have exceeded those of 
our sister boards at the East. 

Our work is one, one Lord^ onefaith^ one baptism^ one grand 
and sweet ultimatum to carry the story of Jesus our Lord to the 
hearts and homes of our sisters, in all the lands of the earth. 

Mrs. S. S. Smith, Rec. Sec, 

W. B. M. P. 



OFFICERS. 

President^ Mrs. Dr. A. L. Stone, San. Francisco, Cal. 
rn,*«^ c^x.^.,^.,^/^c S Mrs. George Mooar, Oakland, Cal. 
-^^'^^'^^^^^^^'^^^^'JMrs.C.V.Blakesle^, " 
Foreign Secretary ^ Mrs. J. K. McLean, ** " 

Recording Secretary y Mrs. S. S. Smith, San Francisco, CaU 
Treasurer y Mrs. R. E. Cole, Oakland, Cal. 
£ditress, Mrs. S. £. Henshaw. 



WOMAN'S BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS, 
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA. 

Of all the Missionary Societies formed by the Women of our 
American churches, we, the Women's Board of Foreign Missions 
of the Reformed (Dutch) Church come as one of the youngest in- 
to the ranks. 

As you should only look for achievement proportionate to 
years of work, you cannot expect from our short term of exist- 
ence, much more than a history of organization with the initiative 
steps towards gathering the material for the work we have planned. 

In 1875, we met to organize in the Chapel of the Reformed 
Church, corner of Fifth Avenue and Twenty-ninth st., New York, 
Rev. Dr. Ormiston, Pastor. 

Mrs. Jonathan Sturges, a lady widely known for her Chris- 
tian benevolence, was appointed President of the Board. 

Our work may be briefly divided as follows : — 

First, We have endeavored to increase the interest in the 
work of Foreign Missions among the women of our church. 

In pursuance of this aim there have been formed fifty-two 
missionary societies auxiliary to the Woman's Board of our church. 
All these are actively engaged in their respective churches in 
spreading a knowledge of the work in the foreign field. 

We have published a Manual containing a history of all the 
mission work of the Reformed Church. This book is very hand- 
somely bound and illustrated, and is not only attractive and inter- 

75 



y6 woman's missionary societies. 

esting, but is a valuable addition to our church literature. We 
have also issued leaflets containing information in regard to mis- 
sion work, which have been given to the auxiliary societies for 
distribution. 

Second, We have assisted in the support of the missionaries 
at present laboring in the stations planted by the Board of For- 
eign Missions of the church. To this end we have raised for the 
missionaries now in the field, the sum $5,147.93. This money 
was paid in accordance with the wishes of the auxiliary societies 
by whom it was collected. 

Third, We propose to send out and support Christian wo- 
men to labor as missionaries and establish schools and homes from 
which heathen wives and mothers may gain the idea of the Chris- 
tian family circle and home. For this purpose we are about send- 
ing two ladies to establish a girls' school at Nagasaki, Japan, on 
the plan of the school formed by the Woman's Union Missionary 
Society of Yokohama. 

We have raised $4,923.54 to be used for this school. Total 
amount raised for mission work since organization, $100,71.47. 

The above is a brief statement of the work of the first three 
years of our existence as a society. We do not feel that we need 
be ashamed of this record, for we belong to one of the smallest of 
the orthodox denominations and therefore we have neither a wide 
district from which to glean, nor many churches upon which to 
call for helpers. 

Our church was founded by the martyrs amid the fires of the 
reformation in Holland, and we claim as our inheritance an un- 
faltering trust in the promises, for we have been enabled to say 
with every onward step " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." 

By order of the Board, 
• Gertrude L. Vanderbilt. 



reformed. 'j'j 

Woman's Board of Foreign Missions, Reformed Church in 
America, 1878-82. 

The support of the seminaries for girls at Amoy, China, Yoka- 
hama, Japan, Vellare, India, also two caste girls' schools at Vellare, 
has been assumed by our Board at a cost of $5,500 per annum. 

A new house, costing $2,000, has also been built for the Amoy 
school, on the island of Kolongsu, opposite Amoy. Our mission- 
aries and most other foreigners reside on this island. Our teachers 
formerly had to cross the harbor daily in a row boat to reach the 
school ; now they are not only spared this labor, but the scholars 
are benefitted by being under their constant supervision. 

A little less than a thousand dollars has been appropriated for 
another building on Kolongsu, to be used as a temporary home and 
school for women from the country stations, who during the rainy 
season, when they cannot work out of doors, come to our mission- 
aries to be taught to read the Bible. These women return to their 
homes, and repeat what they have learned to their neighbors. The 
missionaries are thus enabled to select, from personal observation, 
those who are most intelligent and best fitted to employ as Bible 
women. 

home work. 

To stimulate the home work, two ladies in each class have 
been appointed to awaken a missionary spirit, and to organize 
auxiliary societies in every church in their respective classes. 

Letters from missionaries are published in the form of leaflets, 
and distributed gratuitously to our auxiliaries. We trust that at no 
distant day these leaflets may grow into a periodical, which will 
make this department of home work self-supporting. Our auxiliaries 
now number 129. During the past year the receipts have been over 



78 woman's missionary societies. 

$10,000. The total amount raised during the seven years of the 
existence of our society is a little over $55,000. 

Mrs. Wm. R. Duryea. 



BOARD OF OFFICERS. 
Mrs. Jonathan Sturges, President, 

** M. E. Sangster, Recording- Secretary. 

** Wm. R. Duryea, Foreign Corresponding Secretary, 

** J. P. Gumming, Home Corresponding Secretary, 

•* Peter Donald, Treasurer, 



THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN'S BOARD OF 
MISSIONS, 1874-83. 

On July, 1874, Mrs. Peane, a lady well known in educational 
circles in Kentucky and Missouri, suggested to a friend the idea of 
enlisting the women of the Christian church in an organized effort 
to save and put together all the little sums they could from individ- 
ual means, — allowances, salaries, or wages, — and devote this 
amount, together with such time and talent as could be commanded 
among themselves, to missionary work. At this time there was no 
foreign work being done by the church, the Jamaica Missions 
having been abandoned some years previous ; and, indeed, a gen- 
eral decline in missionary spirit and interest was very apparent. 
-In October following, a mass meeting of women to consider the 
matter was held in Cincinnati, and at this meeting was organized 
the Christian Woman's Board of Missions, upon a form of Con- 
stitution, which was copied largely from that of the ^^ Woman's 
Missionary Society of the Congregational Church." The head- 
quarters were placed at Indianapolis and remains there, and the 
offices of President, Corresponding and Recording Secretary, and 
Treasurer are filled by women in that vicinity. In addition to these 
there are for each State, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and two or 
more Managers. These, all taken together, form the Executive 
Board of the Society, though the regular business is necessarily 
transacted by the Executive Committee. This Committee held its 
first meeting in December, 1874, and plans were devised to attempt 

79 



8o woman's missionary societies. 

by correspondence the establishment of auxiliaries all over the 
country. 

In one year from that time, there being $1,500 in the treasury, 
a missionary for Jamaica was secured in the person of W. H. Wil- 
liams, of Platte City, Mo. January, 1876, he sailed from New 
York, with wife and child, for the city of Kingston. Arriving 
on Saturday, P^eb. 5, he met with a warm welcome by the people 
who were anxiously looking for him. The next day, although 
weary from the effects of a rough voyage, he preached to about 
thirty people in a dilapidated old chapel. His audiences increased, 
until the house could not accommodate them. He called the 
members together and fully explained the circumstances, and the 
object and policy of the Society that sent him, mentioning par- 
ticularly its conviction that one important lesson for them to learn 
was that of gradually reaching independence and power of self- 
support. Hand in hand with conversions and church membership 
must be taken up the duty and habit of systematic giving to the 
Lord's cause. This, possibly, new doctrine was favorably received, 
and all pledged themselves, without exception, to the payment of a 
specific sum weekly, toward the current expenses and repairs upon 
the chapel that were needed immediately. From that day the mis- 
sion took on a steady, substantial growth. Constant study of the 
Scriptures, with the people's prayer-meetings, Sunday schools, teach- 
ers' meetings, and preaching in various parts of the city, with visit- 
ing from house to house, has been adopted. Several native young 
men put themselves under Mr. Williams for instruction, and rendered 
him regular assistance in all these things, Mr. S. P. Smeaton, an 
English gentleman, then a Baptist, joined the church. Upon his plan- 
tation, called '* Content,'' he built a day school, besides opening a 
night school. At first he thought he could not presume to preach or 
leach j so he only invited the people into his coffee-picking room on 



DISCIPLES. 8 1 

Sundays, and read to them the Scriptures; but now he is ordained. 
Mission schools were soon established, with regular preaching at 
some half-dozen other places on the island. Oberlin, Dallas, and 
New Zealand are among the names of these. Mr. James Tilley, 
formerly of London, but for two years past a resident of Jamaica, 
was ordained to preach, and given charge of several congregations 
among the mountains. The establishment of schools all over the 
island formed an important feature of the projected work, as the 
population, which is largely colored, is a class extremely ignorant 
and superstitious. Five hundred and fifty dollars were sent as 
a special appropriation for this purpose. Beside this Mr. A. S. 
Dailey, a promising young native teacher, who had just completed 
the normal course in one of the government schools, was employed 
upon a regular salary to carry on a school at Dallas. Both these 
young men, having married excellent Christian women, have con- 
tinued steadily in the employ of the Society up to the present time 
(November, 1882). As their work has increased, and they have 
grown in knowledge and experience, of course their salaries have 
been increased. They are now receiving about $700 and $200 
respectively, beside the contributions and school fees from the 
natives. 

In December, 1878, Miss Jennie Laughlin, of Indiana, was 
sent out as a teacher of a training school in Kingston, at a salary of 
$700. Shortly after her arrival Mr. Williams was compelled to 
return home, on account of his wife's fast declining health. Miss 
Laughlin was thus left in charge of many of the affairs of the Mis- 
sion. In April, 1880, Mr. Issac Tomlinson, of Indiana, succeeded 
Mr. Williams. Meantime Miss Laughlin's health had completely 
broken down, and she only waited his arrival to return home. This 
was a great loss in every way, for she had carried into the manage- 
ment of the school a long experience in teaching, and a thorough 



82 woman's missionary societies. 

knowledge of the superior American methods and improvements. 
Her place was supplied by Miss Marion Perkins in September. 

In February, 1880, the Society was incorporated, thus securing 
the permanency of the endowment fund, and the safe conveyance 
of bequests and donations. 

In the spring of 1881, Elder R. Faurot, a well-known veteran 
in work among the Freedmen, was employed to go to Jackson, 
Miss., and open a mission among the colored people. He was ably 
assisted by his wife, who labored among the women, trying to in- 
struct them in domestic and maternal duties. A school teacher 
was afterwards sent them. 

On the 28th of September, in Indianapolis, surrounded by lov- 
ing relatives and friends. Miss Jennie Laughlin left us for the bright 
realms above. Of her work in Jamaica, though it lasted only six- 
teen months, we are told that " no one ever before made such an 
impression in educational circles in Kingston as she did.'' The 
school inspector said that " he had never seen so well ordered and 
so well governed a school as hers." Could Miss Laughlin have 
lived, we doubt not that her influence for good would have been 
wide-spread and lasting. Her last hours were marked by a serenity 
and cheerfulness rarely witnessed, — fit ending of such a life. 

The ultimate idea of this enterprise was to establish a perma- 
nent first-class school for the education of girls, with the addition 
of a training class through which the way could be opened for 
women to secure a more liberal education. 

In February, 1882, Mr. William K. Azbile, of Kentucky, suc- 
ceeded Mr. Tomlinson as minister in Kingston and superintendent 
of missions on the island. The work of the Christian Woman's 
Board of Missions has now acquired a new impetus in all its 
departments. September, 1882, Miss Greybiel of New York, Miss 
Boyd of Kentucky, Miss Kingsbury of Illinois, and Miss Kinsey 



DISCIPLES. 83 

of Indiana, were sent to Ellichpoor, India, as Bible-teachers and 
missionaries. Though employed by the Society, these all, at their 
own request, went out upon what is called the " faith principle," 
/. ^., without stipulated salary, trusting to God and their sisters 
for a support. They cheerfully and delibeurately chose this way 
that they might rely the more entirely upon our Heavenly Father's 
promises, and that the hearts of Christian women might be drawn 
more and more toward the great work of spreading the Gospel. 
Their passage was paid, and a sufficient sum given each for 'inci- 
dental expenses. The hearts of the women are warming toward the 
work, and liberal contributions are coming in for its support. The 
interest in foreign missions is steadily increasing every day in our 
church, and the Christian Woman's Board of Missions may justly 
claim to have been largely instrumental in bringing about this 
result. 

Organized in a church where heretofore women had taken no 
active part nor conspicuous place in the Lord's work, it was met in 
some sections of the country by distrust and fears that its tenden- 
cies would be to unbecoming prominence before the public, but 
this fear was needless. Some one has written, "" The very nature 
of the enterprise, grounded as it is in self-denial, based upon a 
simple reliance upon God and a constant conscious dependence 
upon Him, its every movement made under the inspiration of 
earnest prayer, and having for its object the sublime one of aiding 
in bringing the kingdoms of this world into subjection to our Lord 
Jesus Christ, would seem of itself to preclude selfish or self-con- 
scious thought." It is indeed based upon self-denial, and the prime 
object is to educate women in this direction. She who earns no 
money, but whose wants are supplied by husband or father, can, 
by care and self-denial, save something for this cause. She who 
receives salary or wages, can lay aside a little each month ; how 



84 woman's missionary societies. 

little^ matters not, provided it is all she can save, and that it is 
regularly given. Next to the habit of self-denial, as an object of 
the Society, is that of systematic giving. Monthly pledges are made 
of ten cents and upward, and must be paid regularly to secure mem- 
bership. Gradually this habit is gaining ground, and in all proba- 
bility through this humble means something will be done toward a 
greater and more general liberality in the church of the next gen- 
eration. The lack of giving — the withholding of money, which 
is so common, and so much complained of — is not because of 
poverty, nor of avarice on the part of our people, but because 
they have formed no habit of giving according to their means. As 
a rule, a few rich people are sustaining the churches. Recognizing 
this fact, the Christian Woman's Board of Missions has made the 
teaching of this lesson one of its main objects, feeling that the 
amount of money that it can now raise, or of work that it can now 
perform, is not so important, as that the women of the coming gen- 
eration should be trained to give and to labor for the spread of the 
Gospel. There is involved, not only sacrifice in the giving of 
money, but of time and care upon the part of those who carry on 
the w^ork of correspondence. The secretaries each do an amount 
of writing that would command, in business circles, a good salary. 
The treasurer's duties are also heavy ; as every cent of money goes 
directly to her, and she must give receipts besides publishing item- 
ized quarterly reports in several religious papers. No officer 
receives a salary. 

The receipts of the year ending Oct. lo, 1882, were nearly 
$10,000, of this only $317 were used for current expenses. This 
included the publication of 2,000 copies of the Minutes of the 
Annual Convention, and several hundred copies of Constitutions 
and blank reports for the use of State secretaries, all of which are 
furnished gratuitously by the Board. Life-memberships are taken 



DISCIPLES. 85 

by the payment of $25 within two years, in not more than two in- 
stalments. These, with occasional bequests, constitute the Endow- 
ment Fund, which is now over $3,500. This can 7iever be expended, 
— only the interest can be used. 

The recepits of each year have steadily increased. The num- 
ber of members has never been accurately kept, but the number of 
auxiliaries or circles is about four hundred and fifty. They are 
scattered over eighteen States. There are also individuals in these 
and other States, who, not being in reach of any auxiliary society, 
send their contributions directly to the treasury. The aggregate 
amount of money raised by the Society during its eight years of 
existence is upwards of $25,000. 

Besides the work above named, $500 per year has been paid 
for three years to aid the mission in Paris. Arrangements are now 
completed, also, for sending an evangelist to Montana Territory. 
Once begun, this work will be carried on permanently. 

We do thankfully recognize the guiding hand of God in every 
step we have taken, and His blessing, as shown in a sure and steady 
increase in receipts, and interest among the people. " A little one 
shall become a thousand." 

Maria Jameson. 

November, 1882. 



OFFICERS, 



President. — '^rs. Maria Jameson. I Corresponding Secretary. — S. E. Shortridge. 

Recording Secretary, — Mrs. L. A. M(X)re. | Treasurer. — Mary C. Cole. 



WOMAN'S AUXILIARY 



DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY 

OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE UNITED 
STATES OF AMERICA. 

The Woman's Auxiliary to the Board of Missions was estabhshed 
in the winter of 1871-72, in accordance with resolutions adopted 
and recommendations made by the general convention and Board 
of Missions, in October, 187 1. 

A Secretary was appointed, with headquarters at the mission 
rooms, in New York, and a correspondence began by her with par- 
ish secretaries appointed by their rectors, in about four hundred 
parishes in different parts of the country. 

In twenty-eight of the dioceses these parish Societies are now 
united into diocesan Associations, with the officers of which the 
correspondence of the general Secretary is chiefly carried on. 

The offerings of the Auxiliary are made, in boxes of household 
and other goods and in money, given for the various missionary 
objects at home and abroad. 

These contributions, as reported in the various annual reports, 
have been as follows : — 

January, 1872, to October, 1873 • Imperfect record. 

October, 1873, to October, 1874 " " 

86 



PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL. 



87 



October, 1874, to October, 1875 



187 s, to 


a 


1876 


1876, to 


tt 


1877 


1877, to 


u 


1878 


1878, to 


tt 


1879 


1879, to 


it 


1880 


1880, to 


tt 


1881 


1881, to 


ft 


1882 


Totals for last 


eight 


: years 



Money. 


Boxes. 


$23,856.66 


1^65,000.00 


26,211.56 


64,358.24 


26,426.39 


56,897.30 


32,843-50 


65,083.78 


35,363-62 


65,888.65 


37,704.62 


72,778.37 


49,462.05 


94,233-75 


51,419.09 


112,831.24 



1^283,287.49 $597,071.33 



The auxiliary appoints no missionaries, but in connection with 
its other work, supports women, appointed as missionaries by their 
bishops, and approved by the Domestic and Foreign Committees of 
the church. These women are : — 



Sister Eliza, Denver, Colorado, 
*' Sarah, Omaha, Nebraska, 
" Mary, Portland, Oregon. 
" Louise, " 

Miss Sweet, Salt Lake City, Utah. 
'' Ives, Santee Agency, ebraska. 
'' Graves, " " '* 

" Francis, '^ " " 

Mrs. E. E. Knapp, Springfield, Dakota. 

Miss Knight, *' " 

Mrs. Draper, Rosebud Agency, Dakota. 



Mrs. Pajme, Petersburg, Va. 

" Jennings, McFarland^s Station, Va. 

" Brent, Gordonsville, Va. 

" Burgoine, Aspenwall, Va. 

" M. R. Brierly, Cape Mount, Africa. 
Miss Martha Bruce, Shanghai, China, 

" S. E. Lawson, « " 

" S. L. Riddick, Tokio, Japan. 

'* M. L. Mead, Osaka, " 

" B. T. Michrie, " " 



The auxiliary also pays insurance dues upon the lives of mar- 
ried foreign missionaries, provides one hundred and sixty-three 
scholarships, and occasionally furnishes means for building mission 
churches, school-houses, and hospitals, and assists in sustaining 
more or less the work in. connection therewith. 

Julia C. Emery. 



THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY 

OF THE GENERAL SYNOD OF THE 

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE UNITED STATES. 

The General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is 
one of the divisions of the great body of Lutherans in this coun- 
try. While thoroughly evangelical, it is the most liberal of all 
the Lutheran branches and enters heartily into fraternal relations 
with the other Evangelical Churches. It contains some purely 
German and Scandinavian congregations, but a large proportion 
of our Church is v^holly English. Compared in numbers and 
wealth with other denominations, its missionary activity both in 
home and foreign fields, need not put us to blush, and yet there is 
great need of increased effort in every department of Mission 
work. The ever-flowing tide of Lutheran emigrants from Ger- 
many and Scandinavia ought to be met with a proportional 
increase of home missionary activity. Our Church is under 
peculiar obligation to furnish preachers and churches for this for- 
eign influx of population. As a Church we have not been un- 
mindful of the command: "Go into all the world." For many 
years we have supported vigorous, flourishing missions in India 
and in Africa. 

But the time has come when there is need of a special wom- 
an's organization. The burden of responsibility for such a move- 
8S 



EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. 89 

ment was deeply felt throughout the Church, and woman's voices 
have advocated it in the East and the West. Proof of our faith 
''by our works" was demanded when we obeyed Christ's com- 
mands to " pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers unto his 
harvest." Sympathy for sister souls thirsting for the Water of 
Life tugged hard at our heart-strings. The glorious success of 
the Woman's Missionary Societies of other denominations demon- 
strated to us the possibilities in woman for great Christian 
usefulness. More than all, deep gratitude to our blessed Master 
whose religion has given to woman privileges in such wonderful 
contrast to those of her sisters in heathen lands, moved our women 
to unite their efforts to spread His Kingdom. 

In 1875, a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Iowa 
Synod was organized. Several local societies were organized in 
other parts of the church. In 1877? ^ number of our leading 
preachers warmly espoused our cause and advocated it at the 
Convention of the General Synod at Carthage, 111. The new 
enterprise was heartily recommended by that honorable body, 
and an Executive Committee of gentlemen appointed to co- 
operate with the Ladies. For the efficient activity of this com- 
mittee in promoting and giving publicity to our Woman's Mis- 
sionary movement, our Society is deeply indebted. From this 
time the work of organizing local and Synodical missionary socie- 
ties was vigorously urged. In April, 1879, a Woman's Mission- 
ary Conference, held in Harrisburg, Pa., gave evidence that the 
time was fully ripe for our general organization. 

A Woman's Missionary Convention was called to meet in the 
Lutheran Church at Canton, O., and on June 11, 1879, ^^® 
Womaij's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the General 
Synod was organized. There were present one hundred and sev- 



90 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

enteen delegates and visitors representing Woman's Missionary 
Societies of a number of States. The following officers were 
elected : — 

President. — Mrs. J. H. W. Stuckenberg. 
Cor. Secretary. — Mrs. Mary E. Alstead. 
Rec. Secretary. — Miss Mary E. Kuhus. 
Treasurer. — Mrs. A. V. Hamma. 

'Mrs. J. H. W. Stuckenberg, 

Mrs. Prof. Prince, 

Mrs. Prof. Breckenridge, 

Mrs. E. S. Bugbee, 

Executive Committee. \ ^^^,^^^^^^,\^xx,^^^,,^^^x^^or. 
Mrs. J. F. S chaffer, Xenia, O. ; 
Mrs. A. R. Howhert, Bellefontaine, Cj 
Mrs. Dr. Swartz, Harrisburg, Pa. ; 
■Mrs. S. S. Waltz, Kansas City, Mo. 

Perceiving that our denomination has a work among the for- 
eign Lutheran population which no other church can do and 
which makes it peculiar in its responsibility for home mission 
work, Providence seems to indicate that we ought to combine 
home and foreign mission effort in our Woman's Association. 
We deem it best to prosecute our work through the channels and 
by the counsel and sanction of the Mission Boards of the Church. 
We are thereby admitted to fields already prepared for us, and 
shall gain much by the countenance and aid of organizations 
which command the confidence of the entire body of our churches. 
Yet, as we aim to augment our mission operations by undertaking 
the support of departments of mission work which former agen- 
cies were unable to support, ours is a work of great responsibility. 

We have assumed the support of six girl schools in India, and 
the payment of the salary of a travelling missionary for Nebraska. 
The work of organization is being vigorously prosecuted and our 
young society claims as auxiliaries, nearly one hundred church 
societies and six Synodical associations. Our missionary maga- 
zine is still unpenned, but we hope for its early appearance. 



EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. QI 

Our history of labors has only a name and a preface. We 
look to the ''Author of our faith" to fill it with records of suc- 
cessful achievement. Ours is the last link but one in the golden 
chain of missionary societies which binds the heathen women to 
the sisters of the heavenly King. In the day when He comes 
*'to make up His jewels" may he find the chain unbroken and 

encircling the world. 

MRS. J. H. W. STUCKENBERa 



92 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

The Woman's Missionary Society of the General Synod 
OF the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the United 
States, 1878-83. 

When the previous article was written by our first president, 
Mrs. Dr. Stuckenburg, it could well be said, " Our history of labors 
has only a name and a preface." The organization of a General 
Society had just been effected : the possibilities were only in the 
future ; but every lady who attended the first convention held at 
Canton, Ohio, carried home with her part of the enthusiasm which 
had been enkindled there, and a determination to do all in her power 
to increase the interest which had been awakened. At the second 
biennial convention, which was held at Altoona, Pa., in June, 188 1, 
the fruits of the two years' work were apparent in the large num- 
ber present. The intense interest exhibited, and the serious deter- 
mined manner of the ladies showed how deep a hold the mission 
cause had taken upon the hearts of all present. Although lacking in 
experience and knowledge, all manifested an earnest desire to do 
whatever they could to advance its interest. 

Three years and a half have passed since our Society was 
formed. We have reason to be thankful for what has been accom- 
plished in that time. Many encouragements have been granted to us, 
and some dark shadows have been cast over the work which have 
been hard to penetrate and see the brightness beyond. 

Six months ago, God in his providence saw best to remove, by 
death, our beloved and honored president, Mrs. Shaffer. This was a 
severe affliction. For a year and a half she had presided over our 
Society with great acceptance to all. She was intensely interested in 
the cause, always ready to devote her time to its advancement, 
thoroughly aroused to its great need, and ever faithful to the trust 
committed to her hands. Also in our work in India, disappoint- 



EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. 93 

ments and discouragements took the place of bright hopes and joy- 
ful anticipations. 

Miss K. Boggs, the first single lady missionary employed by the 
Lutheran Church, was sent out by the Woman's Society one year 
after its organization. When we parted from Miss Boggs, bright 
hopes were held of her usefulness in India ; for in every respect she 
seemed well adapted for the path in life which she had chosen. 
But God ruled otherwise. Scarcely had she reached the land where 
she was desirous of working for Christ, than she was prostrated by 
sickness, and for many weary months has suffered intensely, and is 
now too feeble to return to her native land. This has been a dark 
cloud over our prospects. While we are unable to see beyond, we 
can trust God, knowing that he ^' doeth all things well." 

During the last year the Society has built a home for our lady 
missionaries in India, at a cost of ^2,000, and will send others as 
soon as possible to take up the work which Miss Boggs was obliged 
to lay aside. We are supporting six schools for girls connected 
with the mission of the Lutheran Church at Guntoon, India. These 
schools are all in a flourishing condition. 

A native zenana worker has been employed the past year, and 
is accomplishing great good among the women. She is also of great 
assistance in the schools. 

During the years of our Society's existence, our numbers have 
increased slowly and surely. We now have nineteen synodical 
societies, and about three hundred auxiliary societies. The amount 
of money contributed since our Society was organized is $16,000. 
This is a small amount compared to that given by the women of 
other denominations ; but when we consider the indifference which 
had to be overcome in the beginning of the movement, we cannot 
help feeling gratified at this expression of interest which has been 
created. In our home work, success has seemed to crown all our 
efforts. 



94 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

In June, 1881, we established our first home mission at Free- 
port, 111. This mission is in a prosperous condition, and has a 
bright future before it. They have recently bought a lot on which 
the women of our Society expect to build a church to cost $8,000. 
Every woman is asked to contribute $1.00 each to this fund. 

In June, 1882, we established our second mission at Lincoln, 
Neb., which promises, before many years, to be a self-sustaining 
church. A great deal of good has also been accomplished by the 
societies in the home field, by the sending of boxes of clothing and 
provisions to relieve the wants of the needy missionaries in the West. 

Soon after the organization of our Society, in connection 
with the Mission Board of our church, we established a Missionary 
Journal, which has been of great assistance to our cause, and instru- 
mental in arousing the people to the needs of the work. The first 
year the Journal attained a circulation of 8,000, and the second year 
it placed $200 in the mission treasury of the church. We have also 
issued a number of tracts. 

While we wish that greater things had been accomplished, we 
are thankful for what the women of the Lutheran Church have been 
able to do in this noble work, in which the heart of every woman in 
the land should be interested. We rejoice to take our place with 
the earnest Christian women of other denominations in speeding for- 
ward the work, and desire to faithfully perform the part allotted to us. 

Mrs. E. S. Prince, 
Secretary Executive Committee, 



FEMALE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE 
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

On the 5th of July, 1819, a number of females met at the 
Wesleyan Seminary in Forsyth street (New York City) for the 
purpose of forming an auxiliary to the Missionary Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which had been organized the pre- 
vious April. 

The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Nathan Bangs, 
who afterward stated the object of the meeting. 

At a subsequent meeting a constitution was adopted, and the 
following officers elected, viz.: — 

MANAGERS AND OFFICERS. 

Mrs. Thomas Mason, First Directress. Mrs. J. B. Gascoigne, Manager. 

** John Vanderpool, Second Directress. Miss Rebecca Burling", '* 

** Doctor Seaman, Treasurer. •* M.I.Morgan, •* 

" Caroline M. Thayer, Secretary. " Susan Lamplin, " 

♦* Thomas Carpenter, Manager. *' Susan Brewer, *« 

" William Myers, " " Eliza Higgins, ** 

" A. Shatwell, " " Maria Arcularius, " 

«« J. Ketchum, " «* Eliza Seaman, " 

«« J. Westfield, " " Eliza A. Anderson, ** 

«« Peter Badeau, " «« Anna Williams, «« 

" Doctor Gregory, «* *« S. Boyce, ** 

«« William Duvall, «* «• Clarissa T. Nichols, " 

«« Ezekiel Halsted, ** " I. A. Low, " 

«* William B. Young, ** ** Harriet Donalson, ** 

The first minute-book of the Society, has been preserved 
with scrupulous care. Among those composing this Board were 
'' honorable women not a few, "whose children and grandchil- 
dren are holding positions of trust in the church, and laboring 
for the cause of Christ in this and other lands. Verily they 
taught these precepts to their children. Soon after the formation 

95 



96 woman's missionary societies. 

of the Society a committee was appointed, consisting of Mrs. 
Thayer, Mrs. Mason, and Miss S. Brewer, ''to prepare an ad- 
dress to the "Female members and friends of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church." A copy of this address is still in existence, 
preserved on file, with early reports of this time-honored society. 
The following extract will not be amiss even in our day. After 
speaking of the growing wants of our own country, the sacrifices 
of missionaries, etc., the address continues, " Shall we who dwell 
in ease and plenty, whose tables are loaded with the bounties of 
Providence, and whose persons are clothed with the fine-wrought 
materials of the Eastern loom, shall we, who sit under the drop- 
pings of the sanctuary, and are blessed with the stated ordinances 
of the house of God, thus highly, thus graciously privileged, shall 
we deny the small subscription solicited, to extend the bare ne- 
cessities of life to our dear brethren who are spending their 
strength and wasting their health in traversing dreary mountains 
and pathless forests to carry the glad tidings of free salvation to 
the scattered inhabitants of the wilderness.'^ From the days of Jo- 
anna, the wife of Chusa, and other pious women, who ministered 
of their substance to the Lord, to the present period, female char- 
itable institutions have experienced the peculiar smiles of a gra- 
cious Providence. We are not called to the more arduous em- 
ployments of active life ; we are exempted from the toils and cares 
of ofiicial stations in the Church ; but God has nevertheless re- 
quired of us that our all should be devoted to his service. 

'' Let us imitate the pious Phebe, who was a servant of the 
church; Mary and Persis, who labored much in the Lord; and 
those other godly women of the apostolic age whose memory still 
lives in the page of inspiration ; let us leave nothing unattempted 
that promises to promote the advancement of the Redeemer's 
kingdom.*' 



METHODIST. 



97 



An ofBcial notice of the formation of the Female Missionary 
Society from the Secretary, Mrs. Thayer, sent to the Parent 
Board, is on record in the first minute-book of the latter, which is 
preserved in the archives of the Mission Building, 805 Broadw^ay. 

These sisters went zealously to work to raise funds, and pro- 
cure necessary garments, etc., to send the missionaries among the 
Indian tribes in our own country and Canada. Much interest 
was taken in the Wyandotts, also the Ojibaways. Sometimes 
the missionaries visited the city, accompanied by native chiefs, 
also children from their schools, which latter the Female Mission- 
ary Society took under their care, entertained them in their fam- 
ilies, and sent them back laden with good gifts. The mission to 
the Green Bay Indians, under the superintendence of Rev. J. 
Clark, was the recipient of many a well-filled box. As the years 
sped on and missionary enterprises reached into foreign lands, the 
Female Missionary Society gave valuable aid to the Parent Board; 
by taking especial charge of the female helpers, fitting them out 
comfortably for the tedious voyages which in those days must be 
taken in sailing vessels. Voluminous correspondence between 
the officers of the Female Missionary Society and devoted laborers 
in foreign fields are still preserved, notably that with MissWilkins, 
of the Mission to Africa, whose heroic devotion to her self-deny- 
ing work, puts her side by side with the illustrious Livingstone. 
Many interesting facts of Mission work might be gathered from 
these letters, did the limits of this paper allow. 

In raising funds beside the annual subscriptions and dona- 
tions, public meetings were held, in many instances addressed 
by distinguished speakers, and contributions solicited for the 
cause. Sometimes these funds w^ere for an especial object, most- 
ly for the benefit of schools or the female converts. The funds 
of the Society were paid over to the Parent Board, but generally 



98 woman's missionary societies. 

for a specified object, which by conference or agreement had been 
settled on beforehand. 

We come now to review the causes which led to the decline 
and final dissolution of this Society, which for more than forty 
years was in active operation. In the earlier years of its exist- 
ence there were no local interests in the churches. The whole 
city was a circuit. In time, each church assumed the care of it- 
self, as it were, having its own missionary and benevolent soci- 
eties. As the Female Missionary Society was composed of man- 
agers from each church, getting their subscriptions mainly from 
their individual churches, they found it impossible to keep them 
up, as they were diverted through another channel. Many, too, 
of the early workers, had passed away, or were too advanced in 
years for active service. An unusual interest had sprung up in 
reference to home mission work, especially in this city, and 
found zealous workers from among those engaged in the Female 
Missionary Society. Perhaps an extract from the last annual re- 
port, issued in 1861, will explain the matter : — 

*' Almost all of our founders, with the earliest donors and subscribers, 
have passed away; several are yet with us striving to do what they can. 
Now each church is desirous to report a large missionary collection, and 
every Sunday-school is anxious to excel in their contributions. This ac- 
counts for our diminished receipts. Now we can be only gleaners in this 
work. While we regret our shortcomings, yet, as a Society, we may be 
stimulated by a review of what has been done. Our collections since the 
commencement of the Society in 1819, have been over $20,000, which (ex- 
cept for small expenses) has been paid to the Parent Society. Besides this 
there have been contributions in clothing, bedding, books, etc., for the 
mission schools. In earlier years we did much in assisting schools under 
the care of Rev. Wm. Case and Rev. Jno. Clark, in later years, also, the 
school of Miss Wilkins. Our Board has held correspondence with many 
of the missionary sisters in our own country and in South America, Africa, 
Germany, China and India. Sister Pierce, in a recent letter (to our Direc- 



METHODIST. 99 

tress) from India, writes of success in their school for women and girls, 
some of whom have been converted." 

Thus in 1 86 1, after an honorable record of over forty years, 
most of the time having had the same Directress and Treasurer, 
and most diligent Secretaries, the Society ceased to exist. It 
served as a model for others, as many auxiliaries had been formed 
in adjacent places, mostly through correspondence v^ith the 
preachers* v^ives. Without doubt this Society, formed in 1819, 
was the earliest Female Missionary Society in this country. To 
them be the honor of pioneers in this blessed work of caring for 
the souls of the heathen of our own sex. Whatever credit or 
praise may be given to the various "Woman's Missionary Socie- 
ties" of the present day, let us remember the many zealous work- 
ers, who, when the cause of missions was not a popular one, 
with many prayers and much earnest effort, labored in the midst 
of difficulties unknown in these days. Let us emulate their 

bright example. 

Mrs. C. C. North. 



LADIES' CHINA MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 
BALTIMORE. 

The present officebearers of the Baltimore Branch Woman's 
Foreign Missionary Society, stand before the church to-day as the 
representatives of two societies, the past and the present, the liv- 
ing and the dead ; yet not the dead, only as the one has yield- 
ed itself to larger, nobler existence in the other, as form has been 
disorganized for the fuller development of spirit and the perpet- 
uation of substance, as maiden loses name but not identity in 
wifehood, or spring its blossoms in the flowerage and fruitage of 
summer. 

In such relation, stands the Ladies' China Missionary Society 
of Baltimore to the Baltimore Branch W. F. M. Society. The 
origin of the former, thirty years ago, was on this wise : The 
very commencement of our mission work in China, was in an in- 
spiration. In 1846, Rev. Judson D. Collins wrote to the Mis- 
sionary Board his convictions and drawing toward this mighty 
empire. The Board replied that they had not money thus to or- 
ganize a new mission. Then wrote this determined man to Bish- 
op Janes, "Engage me a passage before the mast, my own strong 
arm shall pull me to China, and support me when there." The 
Board could not resist such earnestness as that, and in 1847? he 
with Rev. M. C. White and wife, went to Foochow. 

In April, 1848, the Ladies' China Missionary Society of Bal- 
timore, was formed, with the simple general purpose of aiding in 
100 



METHODIST. 1 01 

the support of this mission. It happened thus, and let those that 
be wise, trace the hand of Providence in the philosophy of seem- 
ingly accidental circumstances and little things. Indeed, are there 
any such, to earnest souls seeking the divine guidance? 

Dr. Stephen Olin preached in March a great missionary ser- 
mon before the Baltimore Conference. The next day, a lady In- 
terested in v^ork in Catholic countries, in connection with the 
Foreign Evangelical Society, happened to meet him at the house 
of a friend. The conversation naturally turned on missionary 
matters, and the Dr. demanded of her why she worked out- 
side of her own denomination. " Because," she replied, " there 
is no avenue for woman's work in the M. E. Church." " Cre- 
ate one." "How?" "Organize an association for mission- 
ary work." "In what field?" "China," said he, "that is 
now open — work for China, form your society, and I will speak 
at your first anniversary." The seed dropped by this servant of 
God, seemingly on the wayside, fell on good ground. Who can 
tell what the fruitage and its harvest shall be? She, (Mrs. Anna 
L. Davidson, long the corresponding secretary of the society, 
now an earnest worker in the M. E. Church, South), returned 
home, pondered, prayed and determined to make the effort. The 
pastors of the various churches, and the earnest, active women in 
them were visited, their co-operation secured, a meeting called, 
and a band of efficient managers selected. 

January, 1849, ^^^^ society held Its first anniversary in the old 
historic Light Street Church, near whose site, in 1784, in theLov- 
ly Lane meeting house, the M. E. Church of America, received 
name and form and organic existence in the famous Christmas 
conference, and Frances Asbury received ordination as our first 
Bishop. A great many good things in our Methodism got thence 
their start, this not the least. Goodly men, mid true, whose 



102 woman's missionary societies. 

names are as ointment poured forth, took part in the service. 
Bishop Janes presided. Rev. T. Sewall moved "that the soci- 
ety forthwith endeavor both here, and through the efforts of its 
managers, to obtain annual and life subscribers sufficient to justify 
its sending another missionary to China." True to his pledge, 
that mighty man of God, Stephen Olin, really the father of the 
society, " made an able and effective speech." 

With this consecration, the society kept on the even tenor of 
its way for ten years, not expecting or accomplishing very much, 
but paying into the parent Board about $300 annually. During 
all these ten years, not a single convert gladdened the mission 
field. Reason might have said, "It is in vain, give up;'* but 
faith said, " Go farther, do more," and faith prevailed. My pre- 
decessor writes: "This feeble band of women, feeble in one 
sense, but strong in faith and determination, struggled on through 
opposition and difficulties. An independent organization was 
considered an infringement not only on church usage, but the ab- 
solute rights of the Missionary Board, consequently official breth- 
ren, ministers, with a few honorable exceptions, gave the cold 
shoulder. Nothing daunted, our little band quietly and steadily 
pursued their way, gathering and dropping small sums, as the 
widow's mite, into the treasury of the Lord." For when did a 
woman with a divine instinct within her, fail because of man's 
incredulity and indifference ? Since Mary broke her alabaster box, 
she has met and triumphed over such, and won the crowning en- 
comium of her Lord. Nothing daunted, we say, by discourage- 
ment at home, and poor success abroad, in 1858, this society 
caught fresh inspiration, made a " new departure," became heroic 
in its endeavor, and specific in its work, and with the usual re- 
sults, large faith and large enterprise commanding large success. 
Where the timid and doubting fail, the trusting and determined 
triumph. According to our faith, our works and victory. 



METHODIST. IO3 

The position then taken, and the work then assumed by this 
society, was in response to earnest appeals made by Dr. Went- 
worth, then missionary to China. The facts he stated and the ar- 
guments he employed are so like those'we are now accustomed to 
hearanduse, that they have a very familiar sound. Repleads that 
funds be raised to build and sustain a female school in Foochow. 
He says, " It is a favorite scheme of mine, but I have already 
lost heart and hope on the subject. Teaching is a great aid to the 
diffusion of Christianity in all lands ; witness the sabbath schools 
and Christian schools at home, and the anxiety of all churches to 
obtain academic education, particularly the strenuous efforts of the 
Romanists, the greatest tacticians in the world on this particular 
line. We are surrounded by females degraded by custom, by 
ignorance, by vice. Such as escape drowning in infancy, are im- 
mediately contracted in marriage, systematically crippled and con- 
demned to life-long seclusion. Our churches are full of men, our 
preaching is to men, only now and then a woman dares venture 
within sound of the gospel, and these are the large footed women, 
small footed, or ladies of China, never. Their lords despise them 
as a class, and are ashamed to be seen abroad with them. Noth- 
ing in Asia or the East calls more loudly for reformation than the 
condition of women. In no department is missionary labor more 
needed than this, and woman only can be reached by woman. 
Asiatics jealously exclude women from intercourse with men. 
Instead of here and there a teacher, and a languishing school, 
China needs an army of Christian females, ready, if need be, to 
lay down their lives for their own sex and the gospel. Your city 
is fond of building monuments, and certainly none could be more 
appropriate than one erected on this soil in the shape of an effi- 
ciently working female academy ;" $5,000 was the amount asked 
for. This appeal came through the parent Board with its endorse- 



104 woman's missionary societies. 

ment ; Dr. Durbin, then missionary Secretary, sending us a com- 
munication with the enclosed : 

" Resolved^ That if the ladies feel heartily disposed to undertake this 
work, and have good hope they can accomplish it in a given time, the 
Board will accept their services in this respect, and execute their will.'* 

The Board also recognizing our own good faith and trust 
worthiness, offered to advance to the mission the required $5,000, 
we pledging ourselves to repay $3,500 by January i, i860, and 
the balance as soon as practicable. After much deliberation and 
prayer we assumed this responsibility and made this pledge. Im- 
mediately an appeal was issued in circular form, and through the 
Christian Advocate and Journal. It gives copies of the letters re- 
ceived from Dr. Wentworth and commences thus : 

** Being greatly encouraged by recent news from China, and feeling 
confident that God purposes to do a great work in that country, we have 
determined, by the grace of God, to enter an open door of extended use- 
fulness which now presents itself, to aid in rescuing the daughters of that 
benighted land from heathenish degradation, and thus raise a mighty in- 
strumentality, which in the hand of the Almighty, will do much toward 
the regeneration of that vast and interesting empire, an empire groaning 
under the pressure of three hundred millions of immortal souls, — one-third 
the human race. In response to the representations made us, that board- 
ing schools for females are of the highest importance, essential to success, 
we have resolved to build a house suitable for such purpose, taking girls 
out of the mire of idolatrous customs, and surrounding them with Chris- 
tian influences. Three highly educated young ladies are prepared to sail 
as teachers. We wish to give the means to erect a home for them and their 
pupils who already await their arrival." 

Thus^ in the summer of 1858, commenced in this land, spe- 
cifically woman's work for woman, the work of the century to 
which God specially by the imperative needs of the case, — by the 
clamorous and increasing opportunities, — by every motive of 
gratitude and obligation, summons Christian women, the work 



METHODIST. IO5 

He has so signally and marvellously blessed, both in Its subjective 
and objective relations, both in its direct influence on heathendom 
and its reflex influence at home ; the work through which the social 
foundations of heathen nations are being undermined, and w^oman 
won to Jesus ; the family, the community, the country, the world, 
follows. This^ the thing we have undertaken, to which as Chris- 
tian women we stand pledged ; this, the banner we have floated to 
the breeze, and to which we renew our vows of allegiance, the 
women of all lands for Jesus. 

We cannot but feel some pleasure in the fact that our belov- 
ed Methodism was the first to engage distinctively, organically in 
this work, nor a little pride that in the city where the M. E. 
church of America commenced its organic existence, we were 
also providentially permitted to pioneer this good work. But 
very humble were the beginnings, and we were building much 
wiser and higher than we knew. October 4, 1858, Miss Potter 
and the Misses S. and B. Woolston sailed with the present super- 
intendent of the mission and wife, Rev. S. L. Baldwin. Miss 
Potter became Mrs. Wentworth. The Misses Woolston have re- 
mained steady, devoted, successful workers, and are now on their 
homeward way, only to seek more strength, to put in more work. 
Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have ever been our firmest friends and 
ablest helpers. 

Upon our acceptance of this pledge, and undertaking this 
work, Dr. Durbin writes us, " Let this school be the honor and 
lighthouse of Baltimore, in the midst of more than 400,000,000 
people that give to death more than half their female children." 

From China, joyful and enthusiastic acknowledgments were 
received. Dr. Maclay writes, February, 1859, " Thanks, many 
thanks to your society for its prompt and cordial endorsement of 
our plan to establish a girls' seminary. Help, sisters, help ! The 



I06 woman's missionary societies. 

harvest is plenteous, the laborers are few. Do not cease to pray. 
But may I not say, Come? Four hundred millions of souls ! but 
where are the laborers? Oh ! that the church would awake." 

And Dr. Wentworth writes : ''It strikes me that the Balti- 
more Female China Missionary Society, has found its appropriate 
field of labor. You have toiled and sacrificed years for China, 
now Providence has furnished you with a specific object of inter- 
est inside of China, inside the general mission, the church at Foo- 
chow, it is no less than the elevation of your own sex, through the 
medium of your own sex." Thus were we led to attempt the so- 
lution of this mighty, puzzling problem of missionary labor in 
the East, viz : how the women could be reached and rescued and 
redeemed, — a problem which, soon after, others with wiser heads 
and stronger hands took up, — a problem in the solution of which 
the women of all Christian denominations are now more or less 
engaged, realizing that therein largely lies the solution of that 
other problem which the Master on Mt. Olivet put into our hands, 
viz.: the salvation of the race. If, through woman in the Garden, 
the vantage ground was lost, by woman in her manifold relations 
and responsibilities, somehow it is to be regained. If woman 
brought sin, she must also bring the Saviour. If Satan then tri- 
umphed over her, and through her the race, then also was assign- 
ed her, her work and mission in the world — to bruise his head 
and thus pluck nobler victory out of defeat. Who shall say that 
the work now being done in this way is not foreshadowed and in- 
cluded in that commission ? So may every woman be a Mary and 
carry a Saviour in her arms. 

Before closing the record of this Society, it is right and just 
to allude to a most essential service it rendered the church in a 
most critical and trying time. It is written, "Blessed are the 
peacemakers." That blessing is ours. In that time of sad and 



METHODIST. 10/ 

bitter memories to which it is painful even to revert, when in our 
section strife was not only national, but domestic and social and 
ecclesiastic, and the very ark of the Lord was imperilled because 
of the division of brethren, when even good people lost faith in 
and love toward each other, the great missionary cause suffered 
much from this lack of confidence, and the supposed possible di- 
version of its funds from other than their strictly intended use. 
At that time there were Sunday schools and congregations in our 
city that would only make missionary contributions with the un- 
derstanding they were to be entirely directed by our Society to 
our special field, and sphere of labor, and thus the confidence they 
had in us personally, and the work we carried, served as a 
breakwater, saving to the missionary cause what otherwise would 
have been withheld. 

But in the meantime a new and brighter constellation appear- 
ed among the galaxy of Christian workers, and Boston was its birth- 
place, and March 22, i869,its birth-day, and Woman's ForeignMIs- 
sionary Society its name. Tidings came to us of its heroic concep- 
tions, its vast enterprise, its wonderful success, and with these, 
wooings of affiliation. Still, with true Southern conservatism, we 
held on to the good old paths, straight and narrow as they were. 
But in 187 1, this wave of missionary sentiment broke so strongly 
upon us that we were constrained to cry, " I yield, I yield, I can 
hold out no more." Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin then visiting 
this country, had been invited to address the twenty-third " anni- 
versary of this China Society, to be held March 10." In the 
meantime. Dr. and Mrs. Butler, irresistible and irrepressible, in- 
terviewed and most diligently labored with the preachers of the 
city, and officers of this Society. The Corresponding Secretary 
of the Philadelphia Branch added her persuasiveness, and per 
consequence, March 6, 187 1, we made surrender of person and 



I08 WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

property, name, fame and fortune, our officers, our assets, our in- 
fluence, all our interests to the Woman's Foreign Missionary Soci- 
ety of the M. E. church, a surrender, an association, a work we 
have rejoiced in every day since, realizing that in thus losing our 
life, we saved it, that the greater should always include the less, 
that dawn must naturally yield to day, that the law of life is the 
survival of the fittest. 

The then Corresponding Secretary of the Ladies' China Mis- 
sionary Society, and the present of the Baltimore Branch W. F. 
M. Society, had the honor of offering the resolution that closed 
one good honored career that a broader and better one might be 
commenced, illustrating the conservatism of holding on to that 
which is good with the progressiveness of going on to perfection ; 
that wedded indissolubly for better or worse, for richer or poorer, 
these two societies, so that what was to have been the twenty- 
third anniversary of the one became the inauguration of the other. 

So then the Pleiades was complete, serenely shining ever 
since, so then was added to the prism that other ray from the 
South needful to make the perfect light. Then the seventh was 
placed among the golden candlesticks, amongst which walks one 
like unto the Son of man, and from which we pray light may 
shine forth into all the earth, dispersing all darkness more and 
more unto the perfect day. God speed its coming ! and let every 
woman by word and work, say, amen ! 

Isabel Hart. 



WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY 
SOCIETY. 

Until within a short time, many have supposed that a Wo- 
man's Missionary Society in the Methodist Church was a novelty, 
but we are glad to learn that of late it is becoming more generally 
known, that within three months after the organization of the 
Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, a few women in New 
York banded themselves together and entered the fields as glean- 
ers. Patiently and perseveringly, for more than forty years, 
did they gather all the careful reapers permitted them. Then, 
from sheer exhaustion, we opine, the " Female Missionary Soci- 
ety" was no more. 

If a side remark were admissible, we would suggest that pos- 
sibly if this shap'ely sapling had been set more remote from the 
parent trunk, no other tree of like kind need ever have been plant- 
ed in the Methodist garden. Too much shade and too little nour- 
ishment prevented its growth, and we doubt not finally caused its 
death. 

A score or more years after this Society commenced its work, 
another '' few women" of our church were found combining their 
energies and efforts, and innocently ignorant of the existence of 
this early band, the first Society in America, — making work for 
heathen women a specialty, — was organized. This second band 
of " gleaners" found the fields less carefully guarded and the reapers 

109 



no woman's missionary societies. 

more generously inclined. Possibly the use of the sickle was 
given them now and then. However this may have been, 
they worked vigorously on through heat and storm until they 
gained a noble position in the foreign field. Their banner still 
floats, although in place of " Baltimore Ladies' China Mis- 
sionary Society,'' another name is generously inscribed. 

This tree had less shade and more nourishment, — result — 
more fruit. 

When the third "few women of Methodism" started out as 
missionary gleaners, inviting and urging every woman in the church 
to join them, some of the reapers excitedly cried, "Rivals! rivals !" 
"We cannot allow our fields thus intruded upon." " If they 
want to work let them gather for our garner ; no need of two 
barns for what can be put into one." Others said, " Be patient, 
they'll soon get tired of it." One learned divine, in an editorial 

note in ' 'Advocate," discussed the question something like this, 

'' Some of the most thoughtful minds are beginning to ask what is 
to become of this woman movement in the church ; " then sage- 
ly remarked, " This is no new thing ; all through our history like 
movements have been started. Let them alone. Do not oppose 
them, and it will soon die out." But with gratitude let it be re- 
corded that these were the exceptions. Most of the " thoughtful 
minds" adopted the language ofoneof old and said, " Help those 
women," and bid them a hearty God-speed. The affrighted ones 
knew not that the work these women had undertaken was recom- 
mended to them by the " authorities." Here is one instance : — 

June 15, 1868, Dr. Durbin closes a letter to a Boston lady by 
saying, " I commend the subject of supporting one or more young 
ladies in India, as teachers in our Zenana schools." Enclosed in 
this letter was a printed slip in regard to Zenana work. Evident- 
ly the seed-time of thought and deliberation had nearly passed. 



METHODIST. Ill 

The harvest of action and execution of plans were at hand. "The 
fulness of time had come." But we anticipate ; what of this 

NEW MOVEMENT, 

and how inaugurated ? 

Early in March of 1869, Mr. and Mrs. Parker appeared in 
their New England home on their return from India, their hearts 
burning with desire for the evangelization of women of heathen 
lands. A degree of interest in this subject had been excited in 
the minds of many ladies of our church, by the example of others 
who had already banded themselves together to assist in this work, 
but thus far no definite action had been taken towards any general 
movement. The appeals by Mrs. Parker to the women of our 
church were such as none but one who had labored in heathen 
lands could make. She said the wives of missionaries had done 
all in their power, and had accomplished a grand and glorious 
work for women and children, but after all it was like the few 
lights in a dense darkness, which seemed only to increase the sur- 
rounding gloom. There fnust be more women to do this work, 
or it could never be done. She strongly advocated the sending 
out of single women who would not be burdened with domestic 
cares. Mrs. Dr. Butler (then a resident of Boston), whose ex- 
perience, as the wife of the founder of the India mission, was still 
fresh in her memory, and who had already taken deep interest in the 
work of the Woman's Board, now joined hands with Mrs. Parker 
in her efforts to arouse the women of the Methodist Church to a 
sense of their obligations to their sisters in heathen lands, as w^ell 
as to Him a knowledge of whom had caused the only difference 
between them and us. Mrs. Parker stated that in response to her 
appeals to the ladies of the West, they said, '' If the ladies of the 
East will start, we will follow." At length two ladies of Tremorit 
Street Church, Mrs. Thomas A. Rich and Mrs. Lewis Flanders 



112 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

had the courage to say, "We will help you." * * * * 

^ W ^ ^ 7^ ^ Tr^ ^ M* ^ n» * 

******* * **** 

* * * * Notices were sent to the Methodist churches 
of Boston and vicinity, inviting ladies to meet at Tremont Street 
Church, Monday, March 23, at 3 p.m., "to consider the propri- 
ety of organizing a Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society." 

On the morning of the appointed day, Mrs. Parker awoke to 
behold one of the most furious storms of the season, and she twen- 
ty-five miles from the place of meeting. A friend with whom she 
was visiting, says, ''Brother Parker tried to dissuade her from 
going to Boston, saying 'No one will be there, we had better go 
home.' Mrs. Parker hesitated, as if recalling the sight of those 
soul-starving women of heathendom, and the devoted mission- 
aries overtaxed, and breaking down under the burden resting upon 
them, then turning to her husband she said, ' Edwin, jv^^ can do 
as you think best, but /must go to Boston.' " 

She came, to find only Mrs. Butler and seven other ladies 
present. Nothing daunted, after some deliberation, the draft of a 
constitution was presented, and considered article by article. 
Some amendments were made, after which it was approved, and 
a board of officers appointed. 

Mrs. Bishop Baker, Concord, N. H., was elected President; 
Mis. B. J. Pope, Boston, Recording Secretary ; Mrs. T. A. Rich, 
Boston, Treasurer; and Mrs. Ruby Warfield Thayer, Newtonville, 
Mass., whose name w^as familiar to the whole church, as one of 
the Corresponding Secretaries of the Ladies' Centenary As- 
sociation in 1866, was chosen for Corresponding Secretary of 
this Society. This meeting was adjourned to the following 
Monday. At the meeting on the 29th, although the elements still 
refused to favor a large attendance, about thirty ladies were 



METHODIST. 113 

present, and a good degree of enthusiasm prevailed. A score of 
names were added to the membership, and six ladies became Life 
Members. 

A letter from Mrs. Thayer expressed a deep interest in the 
work proposed, but on account of her failing health she declined 
to accept the office tendered her. (We may be permitted to say 
that after a few months of earnest, successful labor for this cause, 
she was called to her rest above) . 

Mrs. Rev. Dr. Warren of Cambridge, Mass., Mrs. Jennie F. 
Willing of Rockford, 111., and Mrs. Rev. E. W. Parker, were 
then appointed to conduct the correspondence of the Society. 

ORGANIZATION RE-STATED. 

The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, was organized in the Chapel of Tremont Street 
Church, Boston, March 22, 1869, by Mrs. Rev. E. W. Parker, 
Mrs. Rev. Dr. Butler, and seven others.* Ladies were selected 
from seventeen different States to enter upon this second general 
movement of the women of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
the formation of auxiliaries recommended throughout the entire 
church. By vote of the Executive Board, no auxiliary could be 
organized within three miles of the city of Boston. Weak hearts 
desired one strong body, around which might cluster these weak- 
er ones. This plan proved to be a mistake, and in a few months 
was changed, and an auxiliary recommended in each church in 
Boston and vicinity. 

Immediately after the organization of the Society, auxilia- 
ries began to be formed in different parts of the country, — in 

*Mrs. T. A. Rich, Mrs. Lewis Flanders, Mrs. Albert Ellis, Mrs. Thomas Kingsburyi 
Mrs, W . B. Merrill, Mrs. O. T. Taylor, Mrs. L. H. Daggett. 



114 woman's missionary societies 

New England, under the direction of Mrs. Parker, and in the 
West through the efforts of Mrs. Willing, who spared neither 
time nor money to extend this work. In the minutes of a meet- 
ing of the Executive Board in November, we find recorded a vote 
of thanks to Mrs. Willing for donation of her travelling expens- 
es in organizing auxiliaries. 

Aiming at nothing less than a union of the women of the 
whole church in this work, it must be confessed that the organiz- 
ers of this Society felt some degree of anxiety lest those residing 
in and around the " missionary headquarters" might not be will- 
ing to engage in this " new movement." But these fears were 
dispersed and many hearts rejoiced with " exceeding great joy" 
when they learned that an auxiliary had been organized in Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., with the wife of one of the Missionary Secretaries 
(Mrs. Dr. Harris) as its President, and other prominent ladies 
who sat beneath the " droppings of the sanctuary" of the Parent 
Society, had commenced work in earnest. In their estimation 
this fact insured success — the wife of the keen, far-sighted Sec- 
retary would not enlist in a doubtful cause. 

To obtain a more definite understanding of the objects and 
aims of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society than could be 
had by correspondence. Rev. Drs. Durbin and Harris met such 
ladies and gentlemen as were interested in this '' new movement," 
in the vestry of Bromfield Street Church, Boston, on the 7th of 
May. Rev. Dr. Patten presided over its deliberations. 

From a report of this meeting, we quote as follows: — 

"The whole subject was fully discussed and the following 
conclusions reached : — 

" 1st. That such a Society is very much needed to unite the 
ladies of the Methodist Church in increased efforts to meet the 
demand for labor among women in heathen lands. 



METHODIST. 1 1 5 

"2d. That this Society, though not auxiliary to the general 
Missionary Society, should work in harmony to it, seeking its 
council and approval in all its work. 

*'3d. That a missionary paper might be published by the 
ladies of the Society, with great profit to the entire missionary 
cause." 

The society thus recognized and authorized by the Mission- 
ary Secretaries, at once began to execute its plans with renewed 
energy and increased faith. This recognition and authority were 
given by these officers of the Missionary Society acting for it until 
the session of General Conference, when we must look to that 
body for ratification and approval. This was freely given in its 
next session in 1872. 

Further, it was distinctly understood and pledged that while 
this new Society was not to be an auxiliary to the General Mis- 
sionary Society, yet it was to act entirely in harmony with it, 
under the"^ direction, supervision and approval of its officers and 
missionaries — that all its expenditures, fields and methods of 
work, and missionaries, must have the approval of the former ; 
that in no sense was it to be a rival, but in every sense a helpmeet. 

In many respects this May 7 was an epoch in the history of 
our Society — a definite standing, a breathing, a working place 
was given us, among the hosts of the Lord's army, and we wanted 
at once to show our appreciation of and our intention to occupy 
it. At the close of this Conference, the first money was paid 
from the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society — to Dr. Harris, 
for the support of a Bible Woman in Moradabad, India. There 
was special significance and sacredness in this first offering. We 
are glad the foundation of this work was of such precious stone. 
It was given by a lady in the name of a daughter who, before her 
departure to her heavenly home, said, " If I should not get well, 



Ii6 woman's missionary societies. 

I would like to have Papa give as much money to the Mission- 
aries every year as it costs to take care of me." 

In the old dispensation, the "first fruits " offered to the Lord 
indicated the character of the coming harvest. We think it has 
been so here. Rarely has a cause been sanctified and glorified by 
offerings representing more of sacrifice and devotion than what 
has been cast into this treasury. And when we have been seek- 
ing to trace some of the secrets of its marvellous success, we 
have at least found one of them here. Some dollars, as weighed 
in the balances of the sanctuary, seem to comprehend more than 
an hundred cents. And these dollars, most of them, have come 
to us with a value not recognized in the commercial market, — 
memories of the departed, the hard earnings and close savings of 
the living, baptized, many of them, in heart-blood and consecra- ^ 
ted with prayer. No wonder that such should come up as memo- 
rials before the Lord. 

'^ HEATHEN WOMAn'S FRIEND." 

At this meeting, on the 7th of May, another advance step 
was taken, — we were authorized to consummate a cherished 
plan, — one, indeed, vital to the permanence and success of our So- 
ciety ; viz., the establishment of a periodical which should be its 
organ. The necessity of some such medium of communication be- 
tween the foreign fields and home workers for giving informa- 
tion and arousing interest, was felt from the .first ; but as it was 
a commercial enterprise to be undertaken at considerable risk and 
with no capital, no wonder many shrank from it. Then there 
was the disposition felt from the first to preserve inviolate the 
funds of the Society. Money obtained with such difficulty and 
representing so much, must not be perilled or expended for aught 
but the sacred causes for which it was pledged. That this felt 



METHODIST. II/ 

want might be met and yet this sacred fund be preserved, It was 
wisely determined that the funds of the Society should not be used 
for the publication of the paper, but that eventually it must be- 
come self-supporting. To meet this emergency some five or six 
ladies became personally responsible for the expense of publishing 
this little 77iissionary messenger. Thus did this most important 
and successful enterprise have a start through the faith, energy and 
liberality of these ladies. 

Mrs. Dr. Warren, Mrs. Rev. E. W. Parker and Mrs. Dr. 
Butler were appointed to arrange for its publication. Subse- 
quently Mrs. Willing was substituted for Mrs. Butler. At the 
first meeting of the General Executive Committee in April, 1870, 
Mrs. Warren was appointed editor-in-chief with a corps of edi- 
torial contributors. 

The first number was published in May, 1869, but being im- 
perfect, was discarded, and a revised edition consisting of fifteen 
hundred eight-page papers appeared bearing date June, 1869, 
and title of Heathen Wonian^s Friend, This standard-bear- 
er of our Society at once entered front ranks as a Missionary 
paper, and commenced a career of great success. Its canvass 
was energetically pushed by ladies quite unused to the work, and 
as its merits became more generally known, its success became 
the more assured. Its list of subscribers continued to increase 
until 1874, when it reached twenty-five thousand seven hundred. 
Since then, although from all sections come the same commenda- 
tory words conceraing it, from various causes its circulation has 
diminished. It has become a well-established fact among us, 
that the genuine, continued interest in the work, is generally 
in proportion to the circulation of the paper, so that to press its 
claims has become a matter of prime importance. 

More, as all the way by which the Lord our God is leading 



Ii8 woman's missionary societies. 

us IS becoming clearer, and all that He purposes to work through 
us becoming better understood, we see that this paper and the 
Missionary literature created and circulated by our Society, are 
important factors in a great educational and developing work 
among our^own women. With their various incentives to and 
facilities for general culture, a brightened, broadened womanhood 
is being developed in the church. But these are among the '' all 
things" added to those who seek first God's glory and the exten- 
sion of His kingdom. 

FIRST MISSIONARIES. 

The first public meeting of this Society was held In Brom- 
field Street Church, May 26, Governor Claflin presiding ; Dr. 
W. F. Warren giving a history of the Society, Dr. Butler an ac- 
count of the degradation of women in India, and Rev. Mr. Parker 
urging Christian women to their rescue. At a meeting of the 
Society following this public meeting, the name of our first Mis- 
sionary was presented to us for consideration, — Miss Isabella 
Thoburn of Bellaire, Ohio, who had already been approved by 
the Parent Board, and was only waiting till sufficient money 
should be raised, — whose convictions of duty were so strong 
that this failing, she determined to go under the auspices of some 
other Society. Not twenty ladies were present, and there was less 
than three hundred dollars in our treasury. Some timid ones 
shrank from assuming so great a responsibility, — but as the 
strong convictions, the superior character and the peculiar qualifi 
cations of this young lady were disclosed, courage mounted above 
caution and inspired to prompt anci noble decision, and one 
whose name we delight to record — Mrs. Edward F. Porter — arose, 
and dwelling on these things, the crying need of these perishing 
women, the peculiar fitness of this woman who oflfered to go to 
them as our representative, said, " Shall we lose her because we 



METHODIST. II9 

have not the needed money in our hands? No, rather let us walk 
the streets of Boston in our calico robes and save the expense of 
more costly apparel. Mrs. President, I move the appointment 
of Miss Thoburn as our Missionary to India." And all felt this 
was the voice of God to them, and said, "We w^ill send her/' 

Sept. 9, the name of Miss Swain was presented as a medical 
Missionary to India. The highest testimonials were also given as 
to her ability and worth, and again, it seemed that heroic and 
hazardous as the venture was, we must not lose the opportunity of 
gaining so valuable a worker. And so it happened in the good 
Providence of God, that together there left our shores, Nov. 23d, 
these two women, as our pioneers, our representatives, the ad- 
vanced corps of the great company that we expect, through the 
years to come, shall go from us on this holy mission. We know 
that comparisons are invidious, and how delicate are all person- 
alities, but we may be pardoned for saying that our first were 
at least among our best, — that we never cease to be thankful that 
they were just who they were and what they were, and for the 
blessed work they have wrought. Ten years have passed and Isa- 
bella Thoburn, in Lucknow, is still the strength and crown of our 
Missionary force, and Clara A. Swain, through whom our Society 
had the distinguishing honor of inaugurating woman's medical 
work in India and building the first medical hospital In the East — 
at Barellly — though compelled to return to us under the stroke of 
disease contracted in the service, is about to return strengthened 
in body, faith, spirit, to the work which is the joy of her heart and 
the glory of her life. 

As this work grew upon us in its scope ; as we saw the possi- 
bility of its including all our mission fields ; and as we desired the 
best possible arrangements that should bring under its influence 
and embrace in its activities all the women in all the sections 



120 WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

of our country, North, South, East and West, it was evident that 
some plan must be adopted which would give us more direct 
access to them. So, after much consultation and a revision of the 
Constitution, — New England cheerfully waving any right of pre- 
cedence or priority, — the present plan of work was elaborated 
and decided upon. The country was districted into ten co-ordi- 
nate branches, each having its own headquarters. These branch- 
es were composed of all the auxiliary societies in their respect- 
ive sections. The aim was to form one of these in every church. 
Each branch was to have its definitely assigned work in the for- 
eign field. The central, controlling, legislative power of the 
whole society was vested in a General Executive Committee to 
meet annually, composed of the corresponding secretary and two 
delegates from each branch. The whole being somewhat anal- 
agous in its working to the federal, state and municipal govern- 
ment in our country. 

MEETINGS OF THE GENERAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

In harmony with the above arrangement, the first annual meet- 
ing of the General Executive Committee of the Woman's Foreign 
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was held 
at the residence of Mrs. Thomas Rich, Boston, April 20, 1870. 

During the session of that meeting, the support of the Bare- 
illey Orphanage, heretofore under the charge of the Parent Mis- 
sionary Society, was assumed by the Society, and an appropriation 
of $3,000 made for that purpose. Also during this meeting. Miss 
Fannie J. Sparks was accepted as a missionary candidate, who, 
leaving the next October, for India, took charge of this Orphan- 
age, keeping it to the present time, with an interval of compelled 
rest at home, and fully proving herself, in the blessedness of hei 
work, the equal of those who had preceded her the previous 



METHODIST. 121 

year. Initiatory steps looking to the extension of our work into 
China and Bulgaria were also then taken. 

The second meeting of the General Executive Committee 
was held in Chicago, May, 1871. More comprehensive legislation, 
and the acceptance of a wider range of work, characterized this 
session. The " Ladies' China Missionary Society" of Baltimore 
here made over themselves and their missionary assets, compris- 
ing the support of the Boarding School at Foochow and of the 
Misses Woolston, who had been teachers therein for twelve years. 
Arrangements were made for the thorough inauguration of woman's 
work in Peking. Also for sending several missionaries to India. 

The third meeting of this Committee was held in New York, 
May, 1872, during which appropriations were made for sending 
two ladies to Kiu Kiang. Thus, now were occupied by us our 
three missionary centres in China : Foochow, Peking, and Kiu 
Kiang. In India our work was spreading itself through the three 
districts occupied by tlie Parent Society — Oudh, Rohilcund, 
Kumaon. This meeting has special interest from the fact that 
our Society then received the full and hearty 

APPROVAL OF GENERAL CONFERENCE. 

This was given in the following language : — 
"Committee on Missions reported as early as possible, and the 
General Conference suspended its order of business to consider 
and promptly adopt the following : — 

*' Having earnestly considered the papers referred to us on the subject of the 
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, we 
recommend the following : 

''^Resolved, That we hereby recognize the Woman's Foreign Missionary 
Society as an eflicient agency in the spread of the gospel, and that we encourage 
our sisters to prosecute their work with no other restrictions than at present, and 



122 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

that they be permitted to publish their report in connection with the report of the 
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

^^ Resolved, That we recommend that pastors report the amount raised in their 
several chai^ges by the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and that such re- 
port be published in the General Minutes. 

" Resolved, That we recommend that all real estate in foreign lands, belong- 
ing to this society, be held for it by the Missionary Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, as trustees in trust." 

The following is from the " Report of the Committee on the 
State of the Church :"— 

"The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society was organized in March, 
1869, by the ladies of our church in Boston. This society originated in the 
fact that in some of the mission fields women only can obtain access to the 
women of those countries, and that the condition of the latter is such as to 
appeal in the strongest possible form for the benign and elevating influence of 
Christianity. 

" To the special and infinitely wise providence of God we believe the 
church is indebted for the origin of this institution, which we regard as des- 
tined to be an agency of great power in spreading the gospel throughout 
India and China. Although its origin is so recent, it already has six hun- 
dred auxiliaries, and nine missionaries in the field. Its funds and resources 
are rapidly increasing. It eminently deserves the fostering care of the whole 
church." 

THE SUBSEQUENT HISTORY 

of our Society is simply that of continued and increased activity 
as the way opened and as we had ability to occupy. Conscious 
of the danger of diffusion rather than concentration, yet in re- 
sponse to the urgent solicitation of the missionaries of the Parent 
Society, we entered the various fields occupied by them as soon as 
our strength permitted. In 1874, we commenced workinRosario, 
South America. Subsequently, we extended our work to Monte- 
video. Our Church having entered Mexico and Japan, the same 



METHODIST. 



123 



year (1874), we sent missionaries to both these fields. In Mex- 
ico,- we have work in Mexico City, Pachuca, Amecca Mecca, 
Puebla and Guanajuato. In Japan, in Tokio, Yokohama, Ha- 
kodaki and Nagasaki. In Italy we commenced the support of 
native Bible women in 1877. In Africa, although we have done 
some tentative work, yet it has not been very satisfactory, and 
we are forecasting and arranging to avail ourselves of better open- 
ings. 

The Woman's Medical Missionary work has always engaged 
our special interest, honored as we were in inaugurating it, by send- 
ing the first medical missionary to India. She has successively 
been followed there by four others, and by five in China, not, how- 
ever all now in our service. We esteem this one of the most 
important agencies for service and success. 

In 1878, we commenced a new phase of missionary work, 
seeming to us of special interest and promise, viz., among the Eng- 
lish speaking people in India, chiefly Eurasians. Calcutta and 
Cawnpore are our points for this work. This native element, not 
distinctively heathen, but most antagonistic to Christianity, we 
think, converted and educated, will prove the best vantage ground 
we can occupy, the most effective medium we can employ in work- 
ing for their race. We want to work upon them, specially, that 
we may through them, train teachers "to the manner born." 

In thus recording our deeds it is scarcely necessary to re- 
count our discouragements and difficulties. That we have had 
these, every worker knows right well, and that in any measure 
we have had grace to conquer, is cause for increased trust and 
deep thanksgiving. But some memories even in their sadness 
are precious and full of profit ! God hath set the seal and sanctity 
and glory of martyrdom upon our work. Some of our bravest 
and best are not, for God hath taken them ; we dare not ask why; 



124 woman's missionary societies. 

we do not know^^r what ; we do know to what, — so with bow- 
ed heads and bated breath we pray that a double portion of their 
spirit may fall upon those that remain and upon those that must 
take their places. Letitia A. Campbell who fell at Peking, Lucilla 
H. Green (Cheney) who. sleeps at Nynee Tal, Susan B. Higgins 
whom we have just buried at Yokohama, — we have sent out none 
more honored and cherished and that gave richer promise. The 
world,the work, we could illy afford to lose them ; but China and 
India and Japan have a new consecration, and summon us as by a 
higher call, because therein lies their sacred dust and over them 
hover their redeemed, and, we believe, their still interested spirits. 

Worthy to be added to this hallowed list is the name of 
Josephine M. Copp of Michigan, who, having fully consecrated 
herself to this work and having spent years in preparjation for the 
medical department, just on the eve of entering this promised 
land of her hopes and desires, was taken to the Canaan above. 

The past behind us is as nothing to the future before. His- 
tory pales before prophecy if we be but faithful. Memory bears 
the record of much : hope holds the promise of infinitely more. 
The graves of what have been are the wombs of what shall be. 
The land occupied is as nought to the land to be possessed : only 
be thou stro7tg and very courageous. 

We have a goal — a vision — shall it ever be a fact ? Every 
Christian woman with all her energies and efforts and prayers 
engaged in a coinhiited^ concentrated^ consecrated^ continued 
effort for the salvation of her sisters out of Christ. 

Qod speed that day ! 

Then shall ^^Thy kingdom come," and "Thy will be done on 
earth as it is in heaven." 

^^We count not ourselves to have apprehended; hut this one thing we do : forget^ 

ting the things that are beJiind, and reaching forth to those that are 

before, we press towards the marh for the prize of 

the high calling of Godin Christ Jesus," 



METHODIST. 125 

- Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, 1879^83. 

" All 's well : we move right on," may truly be said to have 
been adopted as the motto for our Society's progress. Not without 
hindrances, discouragements, and difficulties ; not without trials of 
faith and disappointment of hopes; but looking upward to Him 
from whom came our commission, with whom is all power, and 
looking forward to the fulfilment of the sure word of prophecy, 
still right onward. 

In 1879, work was opened at Nagasaki, Japan, the seat of gov- 
ernment of the island of Kiusiu, once the stronghold of Jesuitical 
domination, and since the overthrow of that, specially entrenched 
in prejudice and bigotry, and specially given to hatred and perse- 
cution of the Christian faith. There, Dec. 2, Misses Russell and 
Gheer opened a school with one boarder, which has steadily grown 
in numbers and influence, and is proving itself the nucleus of a 
most important work. 

In Tokio, the trial was literally as of fire, and our beautiful 
building just completed, our grand work just inaugurated, in an 
hour was prostrated by the flames. But the work, whatever the 
building was, being neither wood nor hay nor stubble, the workers 
here and there having an heroic purpose, from the ashes of the old 
speedily arose that which proclaimed to all the indomitable spirit 
that inspired and must prevail. This chastening was so endured 
that afterwards appeared the peaceable fruits of righteousness 
blessedly and plentifully. During this year, Miss Dr. Bushnell 
and Miss Delia Howe went to Kiu Kiang, China. 

In 1880, Mrs. Clemens and Miss Goodenough were sent to up- 
lift the work in Rosario, South America, which the Misses Denning 
and Chapin were compelled by physical prostration to drop. Miss 
Woodworth went to Hakodate to take up the standard which Miss 



126 woman's missionary societies. 

Priest had so heroically held aloft until her health broke down, and 
she was compelled to return. 

The North India Mission was re-enforced by the Misses Kelly 
and Nickerson. Miss Budden, a lady of English birth, having charge 
of our Home for Friendless Women at Pithoragarh, was also recog- 
nized as one of our regular missionaries. Misses Yates and Sears 
were added to the North China Mission. 

Several valuable and permanent contributions to our mission- 
ary literature were made during this year. The most important of 
these was by Mrs. J. T. Gracey, who, by request of the Society, 
prepared a comprehensive history of what is a most significant and 
interesting .feature of our work, its medical missions, and dedicated 
it to the cause. 

Special and large gifts were also among the interesting features 
of the year, — that of $5,000 by a friend in Baltimore to erect the 
Isabella Fisher Hospital at Tientsin, China, where the work had so 
wonderfully opened under our Dr. Leonora Howard ; $3,000 from 
Mrs. Bertha Sigler, Iowa, to build the Sigler Memorial School, in 
response to a great need in Budaon, India; $1,800 from sale of 
the handiwork of Mrs. Wright, of New York, at a parlor fair, for 
the erection of the Caroline Wright Hall at Hakodate, Japan, in 
memory of her daughters ; the gift of a property in Chicago, worth 
$5,000, for the general work of the Society; and of $1,000 for the 
same purpose by a lady of Michigan. 

In 1 88 1, Miss Dr. Gilchrist sailed for Kiu Kiang, Miss Hamp- 
ton for Hakodate, and Mrs. Van Petten for Tokio, Japan ; Misses 
Thoburn and Blackmar for India, after a brief rest at home, accom- 
panied by Miss Kerr, to aid Miss Sparkes at Bareilly ; Miss Hoy, 
to assist Miss Easton at Cawnpore ; Miss Knowles, for English work 
at Naini Tal ; and Miss Warner, to establish a self-supporting school 
at Rangoon. The latter, within six months after her arrival, received 



METHODIST. 12/ 

from the governor nine building lots, valued at $8,000, $5,000 in 
cash for a building, and $450 for furniture. 

During the year, the Parent Society entering the extreme west- 
ern province of China under the direction of Mr. Wheeler, his 
daughter was appointed missionary by our Society, and specially 
charged with the work among the women. 

In Africa, the shadow of a great sorrow fell upon us in the 
death of Miss Michener. The saintliness of her spirit, the utter- 
ness of her self-abnegation, with the sublimity of her heroism, gave 
a wondrous beauty to her life and a rare pathos to her death. Who 
will take up her work so suddenly dropped, as yet* we know not ! 

During the year 1882, Miss Dr. Akers was sent to the relief 
of Miss Dr. Howard, who had so long waited for assistance at 
Tientsin, China; Miss Benton, to take up the work at Yokohama, 
which had been carried on by ladies of the Parent Society since the 
death of Miss Higgins ; and Miss Atkinson to Tokio, Japan. Mrs. 
Turney went to take charge of the Home at*Rosario, South America ; 
Miss DeVine to Moradabad, India ; Miss Hogaboom to Mexico ; and 
the Misses Chapin and Denning, having regained health, returned 
to their work at Rosario. 

Failing health compelled Mrs. Clemens to relinquish her post; 
not, however, before she had learned enough of the work and its 
needs, the country and its inhabitants, to enable her to prepare a 
comprehensive and intensely interesting book, which she very appro- 
priately called " Rosario.'' This book has met with rapid and exten- 
sive sale, the proceeds to be used towards building a missionary 
home and school at Rosario. 

A summary from the reports^ presented at the meeting of the 
General Executive Committee held at Philadelphia in November, 
1882, was as follows: Auxiliaries, 3,234; annual members, 79,055 ; 
life members, 4,108; honorary life managers, 194; honorary life 



128 woman's missionary societies. 

patrons, 38 ; in foreign fields, — missionaries, teachers, and assist- 
ants, — 103 ; Bible-readers, 134; schools, 161; orphans and scholar- 
ships, 603. 

The Heathen Woman^s Frie^id continues to win favor and an 
increased number of readers. With the closing month of this year, 
its subscription list exceeded 21,000. Its financial success has also 
been a matter of rejoicing, it not only having paid all its own ex- 
penses from the beginning, but made a net profit of over $5,000. 

During the past four years, a million and a half pages of in- 
structive and stimulating leaflets have been prepared and circulated. 

The value of real estate owned by our Society in the various 
mission fields was estimated in 188 1 at $114,936. Since that time 
it has been largely increased by building and purchase. 

The aggregate amount raised by the Society since its organiza- 
tion, as gathered from the monthly reports in the Heathe7i Woman^s 
Friend^ is $878,615.37. 

A review of the work of our Society would not be complete 
without noting its achievements, which are beyond any monetary 
value. What seemed to have had its origin simply in a necessity, 
and its impetus in an inspiration, is formulating itself in adaptation 
to varied methods and phases of work. It assumes the evangelistic, 
educational, or medical form, as the way opens ; it is developing 
legislative, administrative, and literary ability among those carrying 
and pressing the work at home j it is creating and circulating a 
literature, if not of massive volumes, of that which is more perva- 
sive, popular, and energizing ; it is winning the enthusiasm of youth- 
ful hearts and enlisting the energy of young workers ; it is turning 
the thoughts of the self-centred and narrow-visioned to broad and 
distant fields ; it is giving a purpose and dignity to many an aim- 
less life ; it is gathering together many wasted mites as well as frit- 
tered moments; and it is becoming the custodian of treasured 



METHODIST. 1 29 

memorial gifts and most sacred legacies. And yet, notwithstanding 
this hopeful aspect of our work at home, there exists a great and 
constantly increasing demand for educated, energetic young women 
for the work abroad. "The harvest truly is great," — of means 
there is no lack, — but " the laborers are few," so few I 

Is it possible that mothers who are so generous in their bestowal 
of means to sustain the work^ are withholding their daughters to carry 
it on ? 

The mother of one of our most efficient missionaries, when 
asked if she could give up her daughter for foreign work, without 
hesitation, replied, " My daughter , my only daughter, is conse- 
crated to the Lord ; if He wants her in ^ and tells her so, I 

shall not withhold her." 

With plenty of mothers like this, the supply of consecrated 
workers for the foreign field would soon be plenteous ; until then, 
we fear our Society must continue its cry, " Pray ye the Lord of the 
harvest^ that He will send forth laborers J^ 



MISSIONARIES SENT OUT BY THE W. F. M. 


SOCIETY. 


NAME. 


HOME. 


LEFT. 


WHERE STATIONED. 


BY WHAT BRANCH 
SUPPORTED. 


Miss Isabella Thoburn 


St. Clairsville, O. 


1869 


Lucknow, India. . . . 


Cincinnati 


•* Clara A. Swain , M.D. . . 


Castile, N. Y. 




Bareilly 


New England 


«* Fannie J. Sparkes 


Binghampton, N. Y. 


1870 


i( ^ 


New York 


** Beulah Woolston 


Trenton, N. J. 
Trenton, N.J. 


1871 


Foochow >.......... 


Baltimore.. . . .... • 


«* Sarah Woolston 


(< 


Northwestern 


•* Carrie McMillan* 


Gettysburg, Pa. 


(( 


Moradabad, India.. 


New York 


" Mary Q. Porter ttt 


Davenport, Iowa. 


u 


Peking, China 


Western 


*^ IVIaria Brownt... ••••••• 


Melrose. Mass 


<( 


Peking, China 

Lucknow, India. . . . 


New England.... 
Northwestern .... 


" Jennie TmsleyJ 


Indianapolis, Ind. 


« 


" Gertrude Howe 


Lansing, Mich. 
Milan, Mich. 


1872 


Kiu Kiang, China.. 


Northwestern.... 


•* LucyH. Hoagll 


(( 


Kiu Kiang, China.. 


Northwestern.... 


" Lou. E. Blackmar 


West Springfield, Pa. 
Windsor. N Y 




Lucknow, India. . . 


Western 


** L M Pultzll 


New York 


«♦ L.L. Combs, M.D.§.... 


Cazenovia, N. Y. 


1873 


Peking, China 


Philadelphia 


•♦ Nancy Monelle,M.D.ir. 


Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 


it 


Gondah, India 


New York 


" Sarah F.Leming II 


Clermont Co., O. 


({ 


Moradabad, India .. 


Cincinnati....... 


" Susan M. Warner 


New Orleans, La. 


1874 


Puebla, Mexico 


Cincinnati 


** M^arv I'lastins'S.. •<•... . 


Blandford Mass. 


ti 


Pachuca Mexico ... 


New York 


" Jennie M. Chapin 

** L.OU. B. Denning 


Chicopee, Mass. 


*t 


Rosario, S. A 


New England. . . . 


Normal, 111. 


it 


Rosario, S. A 


Northwestern .... 


•* Sigourney Trask, M.D. 


Spring Creek, Pa. 
Morris, 111. 


(1 


Foochow, China 


New York 


•* Dora SchoonmakerJtl.. 


<( 


Tokio, Japan 


Northwestern .... 


" Letitia Mason, M.D. || . . 


Normal, 111. 


t( 


Kiu Kiang, China.. 


Cincinnati 


" AnnaJuliaLore,M.D.** 


Auburn, N. Y. 


« 


Moradabad, India.. 


New York 


«* Letitia A. Campbellf f . . 


Cambridge, Mass. 


isy'? 


Peking, China 


New England.... 


*' Nettie C. Og-den II 


Springfield, O. 


1876 


Mexico City 


Cincinnati 


« Mary F. Gary §§§ 


Fishkill,N.Y. 




Bareilly, India 


Philadelphia 


Mrs. Olive Whiting 


Jasper, N. Y. 


<( 


Tokio, Japan 


New York 


Miss L. H.Green, M.D. tt-. 


Pennington, N. J. 


(« 


Bareilly, India...... 


New England..,. 


•* Leonora Howai d, M.D. 


Grand Rapids, Mich. 
New Brighton, Pa. 


1877 


Peking, China 


Northwestern .... 


** MaryF. Swaney 

*• Julia A. Sparr, M.D. . . . 


1878 


Mexico City 


Baltimore 


Ann Arbor, Mich. 




Foochow, China.... 


Northwestern 


" Susan B. Higgins***. . . 


Chelsea, Mass. 


(( 


Yokohama, Japan. . 


New England .... 


«• H. B. Woolston, M.D. |1 


Vincentown, N. J. 


« 


Moradabad, India.. 


Philadelphia 


" S. A. Easton 


Washington, D. C. 
Germantown. Pa. 


(( 


Cawnpore, India.... 

Tokio, Japaa 

Tokio, Japan 


Self-supporting.,, 
Philadelphia 


** Matilda A. Spencer. . . . 


u 


** M. A. Holbrook 


Baltimore, Md. 


It 


Cincinnati 


** Eugenia Gibson II 

" M. E. Layton 


Albany, N. Y. 


«< 


Lucknow, India.... 


New York 


Wilmington, Del. 
Auburn N Y 


i( 




Self-supporting. . . 
New York 


«» M. A Priest II 


t( 


Hakodati, Japan.... 

City of Mexico 

Peking, China 


«« Clara Mulliner 


Camden, N. J. 
Fisherville, N. H. 


It 




** Clara M. Cushman 


(( 


New England.... 


«« Elizabeth Russell 


Keyser, W. Virginia. 


1879 


Nagasaki, Japan..,. 
Nagasaki, Japan.... 


Cincinnati 


** Jennie M. Gheer 


Altoona, Pa. 


<l 


New York 


*' Kate C. Bushnell, M.D.|| 


Evanston, 111. 


(( 


Kiu Kiang, China. . 


Northwestern .... 


'"' Delia Howe 11 


Lansing, Mich, 
Metropolis, 111. 


(( 


Kiu Kiang, China. . 
Rosario, S. A 


Philadelphia...... 

Northwestern . . . 


Mrs. E. J. Clemenslj 


1880 



* Mrs. Rev. P. M. Buck. f Mrs. Rev. G. R. Davis. 

II Returned on account of ill-health. 

§ Mrs. Rev. J. Strittmatter. IT Mrs. Rev. Henry Mansell. 

tt Died May 18, 1878. JJ Died Sept. 30, 1878. 

ttt Mrs. F. D. Gamewell. Jjf Mrs. Soper. 



X Mrs. Rev. J.W^. Waugh, 

** Mrs. Rev. G. H. McGrew. 
*** Died July 3, 1879. 
§§§ Mrs. F. G. Davis. 



MISSIONARIES SENT OUT BY THE W. F. M. SOCIETY. 



NAME. 


HOMB. 


LEFT. 


WHERE STATIONED. 


BY WHAT BRANCH 
SUPPORTED. 


Miss Emma Michener *....... 

" Margaret Elliott 


Philadelphia, Pa. 

Flint, Mich. 
Burlington, Vt. 
Bucyrus, O. 
Round Pond, Me. 
Clyde, O. 
New Albany, Ind. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Fon du Lac, Wis. 
Chicago, 111. 
Grand Rapids, Mich. 
La Prairie, 111. 
Berea, O. 

Ann Arbor, Mich. 
Lebanon, O. 
Bath, Me. 
Cazenovia, N. Y. 
Norwich, Conn. 

, Mich. 

Marietta, O. 
Bradford, Pa. 


1880 
t( 
it 
ft 
t( 
ft 
i( 
it 
it 

1881 

(( 

tt 

ft 

tt 

tt 

(( 

<« 
1882 

ft 
tt 
it 
it 


Monrovia, Liberia. . . 

Mexico City 

Rosario, S. A 

Hakodati, Jfapan .... 

Peking, China 

Peking, China 

Lucknow, India 

Allahabad, India .... 
Moradabad, India . . . 
West China 


Philadelphia 

Philadelphia 

New England... . 
Philadelphia 


" Julia E. Goodenough .... 

« ' Kate Woodworth 

** Anna B. Sears.. .. .» 


«* Elizabeth U. Yates 

" Florence E. Nickerson... 

** Mattie B. Spence t 

«♦ Luella Kelly 


New England. . . . 

Cincinnati 

Self-supporting . . 


" Frances I. Wheeler 




" Ella Gilchrist, M.D.$... 

" Minnie Hampton 

Mrs. Carrie Van Petten 

Miss Ellen H. Warner 

** Emma L. Knowles • 

*' Harriet M Kerr 


Kiu Kiang, China... 
Hakodate, Japan. . . . 

Tokio, Japan 

Rangoon, Burmah .. 

Naini Tal, India 

Bareilly, India 

Cawnpore, India.... 

Tientsin, China 

Tokio, Japan 

Yokohama, Japan. . . 

Rosario, S. A 

Moradabad, India... 
Mexico, Mexico 


Western 

New York 

Northwestern. .. . 
Self-supporting . . 
NewiEngland. . . . 

Philadelphia 

Self-supporting . . 

New England 

New York 

New England 

Western 


" Ellenl. Hov, 


«* L. E. Akers, M. D 

*' Annie P. Atkinson. ...... 

*' Emma J. Benton 

Mrs Turney* 


Miss Esther De Vine 




** Marion Hogaboom 


Philadelphia 



* Died Dec. 10, 1881. 



t Mrs. - 



t Returned on account of ill health. 



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12^ 



WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY 



PACIFIC COAST (METHODIST EPISCOPAL). 

The Chinese women on the Pacific Coast are, most of them, 
brought here to fill houses of prostitution, or to be secondary wives 
to the Chinese who are able to support them. Many of them are 
sold by their parents or relatives when quite young, as servants, 
and at a certain age are sold to live lives of a living death. Some, 
while little children, are kidnapped by men who roam about the 
country and make their living by stealing and selling children. 

It is obvious that many of these women who find themselves 
strangers in this country are unwilling slaves in the worst kind of 
servitude. One can scarcely imagine a more hopeless life than that 
led by these poor creatures. Living where they cannot speak the 
language of the people, and fearing to make their troubles known 
to their own countrymen, was it at all strange that among the items in 
the morning papers one would often read that the night previous a 
Chinese women committed suicide? Some of the ladies of San 
Francisco, reading such paragraphs, began to think of the condition 
of these poor women, and to wonder if they could help them to a 
better life. They seemed entirely out of reach. With the barrier 
of an unknown language between them, they were widely separated 
from Christian women. 

But something must be done. Hence the " Woman's Mission- 
ary Society of the Pacific Coast " was organized in August, 1870, the 
136 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL 1 37 

object being, as stated in their Constitution, to '^ ekvaxe and save 
heathen women on these shores." It wished to become a branch 
of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society ; for if that Society ever 
had legitimate work to do, it is here among the idolatrous heathen 
women at our very doors. But the innocent-looking vjor^ foreign in 
their Constitution prevented them from receiving it as a branch. 
It then turned to the Parent Missionary Society at New York, asking 
that the Missionary Board would recognize its work, and appropriate 
funds with which it could be carried on more successfully. In this 
direction they met with more encouragement. The Missionary Board 
has every year made appropriations for our work, and the Woman's 
Missionary Society has remitted to them such funds as it has been 
able to raise. 

The ladies were organized for work, but how were they to reach 
the women whom they wished to aid? They need not scatter 
notices among them, as they could not read, and the men would 
not tell the helpless women of a place of refuge. The ofhcers of 
the Society let it be known at the police station that they had rooms 
fitted up as an asylum for any who might wish to escape from their 
life of bondage. Still no one came. 

We opened a day school in the Mission House, hoping the 
young girls would come for instruction. We visited them in their 
houses ; but after the novelty of going to school wore off, the teacher 
had to go and fetch them each day to insure the attendance of the 
two or three girls who came. After ten months it was thought ad- 
visable to close the school. 

Our furnished rooms w^aited a year and three months before any 
one came to occupy them. Then a woman, eighteen years of age, 
who had wearied of her sad life, with despair in her heart, went to 
the bay and cast herself into its waters to blot out life and sorrow 
at once. She was rescued and taken by the police to the waiting 



138 woman's missionary societies. 

rooms. In about eighteen months from that time she was baptized, 
and soon after married to a Chinese man, a member of the Congrega- 
tional church. She lived a consistent Christian life ; and, about 
seven years after her rescue, she died in the faith of Christ, — the 
first fruits of our seed-sowing garnered safe in heaven. Slowly, 
one by one, they came, claiming care and protection. 

In January, 1873., we opened a boarding school, with three 
scholars. The school steadily increased, until for some years we 
have had all our rooms could accommodate, the number varying 
from twenty-four to thirty. At first these women were received into 
the school for a longer or shorter time as they might choose. But 
we were finally led to adopt the present rule, by which none are 
received for less than a year, during which time we try to teach them 
something of the religion of Christ, which is our first and chief aim. 
Then, unless they wish to return to China, we keep them until they 
are married. 

The man who marries one of these women pays her board for 
a year, at the rate of $5.00 a month. Of these who have married 
heathen men and yet have not forgotten the teaching of the gospel 
they heard in the Mission House, we had a notable example in the 
case of Chy Hay, who after being in the school a year, married and 
moved to Sacramento. For four years we lost all trace of her, but 
our Bible-reader was in Sacramento a year and a half ago, and by 
dint of great perseverance found her. She had kept secluded from 
fear of her old master. But she had not forgotten all that she had 
learned in the Mission school. She eagerly sought instruction, was 
baptized, and lived a Christian life, suffering persecution and neglect 
at the hands of her heathen husband, and in June, 1882, died a 
Christian's death, and received a Christian burial. It is gratifying 
to know that seed sown so long ago and seemingly lost, sprang up 
and bore fruit to the glory of God. 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL. 1 39 

We have another class of scholars in the school from which we 
expect greater results. I refer to the little slave girls, whose servi- 
tude and beatings under hard taskmasters become unendurable, and 
who flee to the school for protection. Their ages vary from eight 
to fifteen years. We obtain the legal guardianship of these young 
girls and keep them until they are of age, when they marr^^ Christian 
men. Of these Christian families there have been thirteen. 

Ten writs of Habeas Corpus have been served upon us by their 
masters to recover the girls, but they have been returned to the 
keeping of our Society. All the older girls clothe themselves by 
proceeds of work done out of school hours. A few of the girls are 
supported by ladies who pay $60 a year. 

They are taught English five hours daily. Some of the older 
girls study history, geography, arithmetic, etc. They read the 
Scriptures in Chinese a half-hour every morning, receiving instruc- 
tion from a Chinese teacher. Tuesday afternoon a prayer-meeting, 
led by the teacher, Mrs. Walker, is held, in w^iich all the girls take 
part. Wednesday evening we have an hour of praise service in 
connection with the boys' school. Sunday morning, at half past 
ten o'clock, the girls have a prayer-meeting, led by one of their own 
number. Sunday preaching, at half past twelve o'clock. Sunday 
school at half past one o'clock, and a mixed Sunday school at six 
o'clock in the evening. There are generally about forty women and 
girls in the Sunday congregation. One of their number, formerly 
in the school, is employed as Bible-reader, and visits twice a week 
from house to house, among the former inmates of the mission, 
reading the Scriptures and praying with them. At our last quarterly 
meeting one of these women was baptized and united with the 
church. 

A weekly prayer-meeting is held every Thursday in the house 
of one of the women. During the last ten years thirty-four women 



I40 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

and girls have been baptized and united with the church, three 
have been expelled for returning to idolatry, and five have died 
Christians. One hundred and forty women have spent a longer or 
shorter time in the Mission. 

A remarkable case, illustrating the power of God to enlighten 
the heart, occurred a short time ago. In the month of May, three 
young girls were brought to the Mission. The eldest of these, 
about eighteen or nineteen years of age, was very ill, and fainted 
twice in going three blocks, so that the police officer was obliged 
to nearly carry her. She seemed so grateful for rest from abuse, 
and the kind care she received from the Christian girls, that she 
w^as ready to listen to the story of ^' Jesus and his love." Her 
disease was consumption. After a few weeks the time came when 
she said to her teacher, " I am dying, stay with me." She could 
neither speak nor understand English, but the girls pointed her to 
the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. She 
said that she believed in Jesus, that she would trust him. Then, 
after a while, she said, "Oh, I am afraid that I cannot find the 
way ! " One of the girls prayed with her, and again told her, as well 
as she was able, how to trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. 
She lay quietly for a little time, then said, **I am afraid the door 
of Heaven will be shut, it will not open for me, I cannot see the 
way ! Who will lead me ? " Prayer was offered for her from many 
hearts, but we could give instruction only through an interpreter. 
At length, after remaining with closed eyes for some time, her face 
lighted up with joy and she exclaimed, " I see the way, the door of 
heaven is open, it is all beautiful there, oh, how beautiful ! " and 
almost instantly ceased to breathe. Who will say that the Holy 
Spirit did not enlighten the darkened mind of that poor, unbaptized 
Chinese girl, and lead her heart to understand that Jesus is " the way, 
the truth, and the life " ? 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL. I4I 

The experience and happy death of this poor girl has encour- 
aged and strengthened the faith of the Christian girls, and we trust 
will enable them to work with renewed vigor for the salvation of 
their heathen friends. Thank God that the religion of Jesus can 
elevate the degraded, save the fallen, and enlighten even the dark 
minds of idolaters. 

With gratitude to our Heavenly Father we record the kird 
watch-care and love which have been vouchsafed to our Society and 
its interests, and trust that we may not weary in well-doing, knowing 
that in due season we shall reap if we faint not. 

Mrs. Otis Gibson. 



WOMAN^S MISSIONARY SOCIETY 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH, 1878-83. 

Prior to the last decade, Woman's Foreign Missionary Societies 
had no existence in the M. E. Church South. To the elect ladies 
of Baltimore, Md., belong the honor of leading in this glorious work. 
Mrs. Juliana Hayes, President of the first Society, writes thus : — 

" Trinity Church, Baltimore, is the honored spot where the Woman's MiS' 
sionary Society in the M. E. Church South was organized. For several years 
this Society, called first the * Trinity Home Mission,' subsequently * Woman's 
Bible Mission,' was strictly domestic in its work. In 1872 the foreign work was 
embraced in its operations and an effort made to form connectional societies." 

In November, 1873, a similar Society, the second in the South, 
was organized in Nashville, Tenn., by Mrs. M. L. Kelley, who may 
justly be termed the mother of Foreign Missions in the M. E. 
Church South, and as bright a missionary spirit as the nineteenth 
century has produced. She joyously gave her only son and child 
to go as a missionary to China, nearly thirty years ago, when the 
subject of Foreign Missions was little known or discussed in South- 
ern churches. This saintly woman not only worked for the China 
mission many years of her long and useful life, but infused her zeal 
into all that came within the circle of her hallowed influence. 

She trained and Christianized, in her own home, two native 
142 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL. I43 

Chinese youths, one of whom is to-day a most efficient pastor in his 
own land. She was instrumental in educating a Chinese girl, now 
a Christian matron living far in the interior ; and though removed 
from all contact with missionaries, when visited by them not long 
since, she was living up to the true doctrine, had a neat cleanly 
home, and a bright happy family about her. 

Mrs. Kelly brought up from tender years around her own fire- 
side two children of a veteran missionary ; and the last and crown- 
ing act of her life was to give her eldest granddaughter in marriage 
to Dr. W. R. Lambuth, a medical missionary of the M. E. Church 
South in China. Her parting words to this beloved granddaugh- 
ter were, **Hold out to the last for Jesus." In less than one 
month, she ascended to heaven, before she saw the little Society, 
planted by her in strong faith, prayers, and tears, become a 
thousand. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The Woman's Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South was organized May, 1878, at Atlanta, Ga. The 
hour of the women of this church had come : right gladly did they 
hail the long-desired golden opportunity to enter the rich fields 
white unto harvest, and work under the sanction and approval of 
the highest executive body of the church. The Constitution given 
by the General Conference required that " the operations of this 
Society should be conducted in connection with the Board of Mis- 
sions and subject to its advice and approval." To begin work, 
efforts were immediately made to systematize the plan of operations. 
The work was divided into three departments, each bearing a close 
relation to the other. The General Executive Association to be 
composed of its officers and delegates from the Conference Socie- 
ties, to have the supervision of the whole, and to be the source of 
all methods and plans. Conference Societies to embrace the terri- 



144 ' WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

tory in each Annual Conference, and to have charge of all the 
operations in such bounds. Auxiliaries to be found in every church, 
representatives from these to form the Conference Societies. 

INCORPORATION. 

In February, 1879, ^^^ Woman's Missionary Society was regu- 
larly incorporated by the authorities of the State of Tennessee. 

The first annual meeting of the General Executive Association 
was held in Louisville, Ky., May, 1879, ^^ which twenty-four dele- 
gates were present representing twelve Conference Societies. The 
receipts for the year amounted to ^4,47 1.69. 

A girls' boarding school in Shanghai, China, under the care of 
the Parent Board of Missions, but chiefly supported by special contri- 
butions, was turned over to the Woman's Society. Miss Lochie 
Rankin was sent to China, October, 1878. Great enthusiasm was 
manifested at this meeting, and all hearts were spiritually refreshed 
and encouraged to press forward in the work of redeeming from 
heathen darkness the promised inheritance of the King of Glory. 

The following autumn, Miss Dora Rankin joined her sister at 
Shanghai. A girls' boarding school had been projected, and the 
buildings put up at Neziang, a flourishing inland town. The 
Misses Rankin were sent there, and a fine work has been estab- 
lished under their supervision. 

PUBLICATIONS. 

The need of a medium for circulating missionary information 
among the Societies became so apparent, and the call so very 
urgent, that, at the annual meeting of the General Executive Asso- 
ciation held in Nashville, Tenn., May, 1880, it was determined to 
publish a monthly paper to be called the Woman's Missionary Advo- 
cate, All felt that the funds of the Society must remain intact, 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL, I45 

except for direct missionary effort. After much prayer, careful 
thought, and counting the cost, it was resolved to start this paper 
on no financial basis save faith in God and our women. Mrs. F. A. 
Butler was elected editor, and the Southern Methodist Publishing 
House kindly offered to take the subscription list for security until 
the funds were received. In one month the first number was issued, 
— a neat sixteen-page paper ; and it has taken its place among the 
missionary periodicals of the churches. It has completed its second 
year, has 8,500 subscribers, paid its expenses, and put over $1,500 
in the treasury. Three hundred and forty-nine thousand eight 
hundred and seventy-two pages of missionary reading, in the form 
of leaflets, tracts, and cards, have been issued and distributed. 
Five hundred copies of a Manual for Missionary Candidates have 
been printed and stereotyped. Fifteen thousand Annual Reports, 
including minutes of meetings of the General Executive Associa- 
tion, have been published and sent out, resulting in large accessions 
to the w^ork, also many slips of constitutions for adults and juvenile 
societies, blanks, etc., for organizing. 

RESULTS. 

The Woman's Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South has just completed its first quadrienium. Each 
year records steady growth and more vigor, and an interest that 
evinces no abatement. 

The following missions fields have been entered by the Society: 
China, Brazil, Mexican Border, Central Mexico, and Indian Mission. 
Twelve missionaries are in the employ of the Woman's Missionary 
Society. Three boarding schools for girls have been established, 
ten day schools in operation, and six Bible women supported. 

Women's medical work has not been overlooked. Miss Mil- 
dred Philips was accepted in 1880, and is now entering upon the 



146 woman's missionary societies. 

third year of her course in the Woman's Medical College of Penn- 
sylvania at Philadelphia. Grounds have been purchased for hos- 
pital and dispensary purposes, and buildings will be erected and 
ready for her use. 

In the home work, thirty-one Conference Societies have been 
organized, 1,112 Auxiliaries, and 26,556 members enrolled. 

The pastoral address delivered by the bishops at the recent 
General Conference held in Nashville, May, 1882, contains the 
following, under the head of " Missions " : "A new chapter is writ- 
ten in this connection. That timely auxiliary, the Woman's Mis- 
sionary Society, correlated by the General Conference four years 
ago, has done well and justifies the recognition then made. So far 
as results have appeared, its affairs have been managed efficiently, 
economically, and judiciously. The management has adhered to 
the line of collection and disbursement prescribed by the law ; and, 
instead of lessening the amount flowing by ordinary channels into 
the treasury of the Missionary Board, it is our opinion that the 
money reported by the Woman's Society is a clear gain. By their 
excellent monthly paper, useful information has been circulated, and 
by their personal efforts, the zeal for missions has been generally 
quickened." 

A new Constitution was given the Society at the last General 
Conference, stating more definitely the object and methods of work, 
including the education of children, both male and female, in its 
provisions, and changing the name, " General Executive Associa- 
tion," to "Woman's Board of Missions of Methodist Episcopal 
Church South." 

It has been well said, that, in sketches of mission work, and in 
missionary addresses and reports, appeals and prophecy are giving 
way to facts and figures. We hail this as an auspicious sign of 
the fulfilment of those grand prophecies flashing forth with start ^ 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL. I47 

ling light from every volume of the Book of God. Isaiah wrote with 
inspired pen, " Unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall 
swear ^'; and David rejoicing, says, "All the ends of the world 
shall remember and turn unto the Lord, and all the kindred of the 
nations shall worship before Thee." 

WORK IN THE SEVERAL FOREIGN FIELDS. 

Neziang. — Boarding school accommodating fifty girls, in 
charge of the Misses Rankin. Here is located " Louise Home " 
for resident missionaries, donated by Miss Wilkins of Baltimore. 
Day schools, two. 

Shanghai, — Clopton Boarding School, accommodating thirty 
pupils, Mrs. M. J. Lambuth and Miss Nora Lambuth in charge. 
Missionary residence on same compound. Day schools, six ; Bible- 
women, five. Miss Anna Muse went out in October, 1882. 

Su Chow. — Boarding school, accommodating thirty pupils, 
Mrs. A. P. Parker in charge. Premises for hospital, Bible 
Woman's Institute, and missionary residence on same compound. 
Day schools, three. 

Brazil, 

Pracicabo, — Boarding school, accommodating twenty-five pupils, 
Miss Watts in charge. 

Rio de Janeiro, — Orphanage projected ; not yet opened. 

Mexican Border, 

Laredo, — Boarding school accommodating thirty pupils. Miss 
Anne Williams and Mrs. Burford in charge. Miss Rebecca Toland 
teaching day school in same place. 



148 woman's missionary societies. 

Central Mexico* 
Miss Blanche Gilbert went out in December, 1882. 

Indian Mission. 

Supporting teachers in Seminole Academy. 

SUMMARY OF HOME WORK. 

Number of societies ...... ijiSg 

Members ........ 30,785 

Money raised from 1879 to January, 1883 . . $83,636.69 

SUMMARY OF FOREIGN WORK. 

Missionaries and assistants . . . . . .12 

Boarding schools ........ 5 

Day schools ........ 10 

Bible-women . . . . . . . . .6 

Mrs. D. H. McGavock. 



BOARD OF OFFICERS, 



President. — Mrs. Juliana Hayes, Baltimore, Md. 

Corresponding Secretary. — Mrs. D. H. McGavock, Nashville, Tenn. 
Treastirer. — Mrs. James Whitworth, Nashville, Tenn. 
Recording Secretary. — Miss Maria L. Gibson, LouisvUe, Ky. 



Missionaries Employed by the Woman's Missionary Society, 
M. E. Churcli South. 



Name. 


Appointed. 


Residence. 


Mission Stations. 




1878 
1879 
i88x 
1881 
1881 
1881 
1882 
1882 
1882 
1882 
1882 
1882 


Milan, Tenn. 

Louisville, Ky. 

Georgetown, Texas. 
Chapel Hill, 
Deanville, ** 
Atlanta, Ga. 
Winchester, Va. 

Miss. 

Shanghai, China. 


Neziang, China. 


** Dora Rankin 


** Mattie H Watts 


Piracicabo. Brazil 








Laredo. Texas. 


** Rebecca Toland 


(( (« 




(( (( 




Shanghai, China. 
Mexico City, Mexico. 
Shanghai, v^hina. 


" Blanche* Gilbert 


Mrs. J. W. Lambuth 




Mrs. A. P. Parker $ 


Su Chow, '* 







* Assistant Teacher. t Helper. $ Not supported by the Woman's Missionary Society. 



Eeceipts and Disbursements. 



May, 1878, to May, T879 

** 1879, " 1880 , 

•* 1880, ♦' i88i , 

•' 1881, ♦• 1882 

** 1882, to Jan., 1883 

Balance in Treasury. 



Receipts. 



$4,014 27 
13.775 97 
19,362 10 
25,609 44 
20,874 91 

$83,636 69 



Disbursements. 



7.^86 34 
10,156 63 
29,794 08 
26,010 88 

$75,171 21 

$8,465 48 



149 



LADIES' AUXILIARY 



WESLEYAN METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 

ENGLAND. 

This Society was formed in 1859, The committee consisted of 
twenty-five ladies all of London, or the suburbs, nine of whom are 
still amongst its members, and of the following officers : — 

Treasurer. — Mrs. Farmer. j Home Secretary. — Miss Farmer. 

Foreign Secretary ,-^ M.xs. Hoole. | Minute Secretary, — Miss S. M. Wood. 

The Society being an auxiliary, its object is not only to initiate 
work, but to consolidate work already begun by the missionaries of 
the General Wesleyan Missionary Society or their wives. Its sphere 
of action is confined to women and children. When boarding 
schools can be successfully established in foreign stations, it sends 
out a trained and qualified agent to superintend the school and the 
native assistant teachers employed. Where only day schools are 
required, the Society pays the whole or part of the expenses, the 
remainder being discharged by government grants, fees, or local 
subscriptions. Aid is also sent to the schools, in boxes of prizes, 
for distribution among the children. 

The Society affords help to orphans in boarding schools in 
Ceylon, and also in the famine orphanages in India, where hun- 
dreds of children still remain dependent, although their number is 
yearly diminishing. 
150 



WESLEYAN METHODIST. 



151 



Another important sphere of action is the visitation of zenanas, 
numbers of which have lately been opened to educational influence, 
even though Scripture teaching is included. For this work, native 
as well as English agents are employed. 

It is also part of our work to cheer the hearts of our mission- 
aries' wives by sending out boxes of clothing, — warm garments 
for the frozen natives of Hudson's Bay, and lighter clothing for 
tropical climates. These noble women, all of them unpaid, are 
often most zealous and effective workers in our mission schools ; and 
there are numerous ways in which a ladies' committee can sustain 
and help them by practical sympathy and help. 

The funds of our Society have risen gradually from ;^3i9 11^. 
2d, in 1859, to ^2,345 7^-. 9^. in 1881. 

We have at present eleven English and seven native agents at 
work in South Africa, Ceylon, and India. We assist or support 
schools as follows : — 



Italy 2 

South Ceylon 8 

North " 31 

South Africa. 3 



Spain 2 

Madras, India 14 

Lucknow, *' 3 

Mysore, ** 23 



There are also seventy orphans supported, who have been 
adopted by their English patrons, and bear names chosen by them, 
and receive from them kindly encouragement. 

During the last year fifty-two boxes of goods have been sent 
out to our mission stations, being contributions from friends and 
from twenty-nine working parties in different parts of the country. 

We have also lately adopted the American plan of gathering 
our children into ** busy bees," where they work at making prizes 
for our schools, and orphans have been adopted by them. Four- 
teen bees have already been formed, and others are in progress of 
formation. 



152 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

Reviewing our past work, we have much cause for thankfulness 
in the knowledge that many dear children have been gathered, as 
lambs, into Christ's fold, and have died rejoicing in His love, and 
that many more have grown up to show to their parents and hus- 
bands how much happiness a well-trained Christian woman can 
bring into a home. In this respect our very success brings us em- 
barrassment. In India, the tide of public opinion, formerly so 
strongly set against educating girls, is now rapidly turning. The 
natives demand and will have education ; and, if we do not supply it, 
they will supply it for themselves : they will open schools where the 
Bible is a forbidden book, and where the old heathen superstitions 
are in full force. The zenanas, too, formerly so jealously guarded 
against the intrusion of strangers, have now their doors flung open 
to our agents in many places ; and we only regret that we are unable 
to keep pace with the demand for instruction. It has led us to 
strenuous exertion this year for the extension of our Society's 
branches ; and those efforts have, by the Divine blessing, been fairly 
successful. 

Our present committee consists of thirty acting and ten honorary 
members. Our staff of officers is, — 

Treasurer, — Mrs. P. Bramer Hall. I Cash Secretary, — Mrs . Lidgett. 

Agents Secretary. — Mrs. H. J. Atkinson. | Foreign Secretary. — Mrs. Wiseman. 
Minute and Home Secretary. — Mrs. Everett Green. 

All communications to be addressed to the Wesleyan Mission 
House, Bishopgate Street Within, London, England. 

Mrs. Everett Green. 
June 4, 1882, 



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153 



WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY 



METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. 

The women of the Methodist Protestant churches of Pittsburg 
and vicinity were invited to meet in the First Church, Pittsburg, on 
Feb. 14, 1879, to consider the propriety of organizing a Woman's 
Foreign Missionary Society, that would unite the women of the 
church. North, South, East, and West, for the purpose of carrying 
out the foreign-mission work more effectively than was being done 
by separate organizations. Heretofore the money raised by local 
societies had been sent to the foreign field through other boards, 
the Woman's Union Missionary Society of New York having dis- 
bursed the larger part of our funds for about ten years. Our church 
Board of Missions had also used this Society as the channel for the 
disbursement of its funds, and at this time was supporting a number 
of girls in the Union Home at Yokohama, Japan. 

In the winter of 1879, Miss Lizzie M. Guthrie, one of the mis- 
sionaries of this Society, was home for rest ; and while attending a 
meeting of the Woman's Christian Association in Pittsburg, was 
introduced to one of our members, Mrs. N. B. O'Neil, and to her 
she reported the good work that was being done by our church in 
the educating of these girls. 

These words of encouragement were an inspiration to Mrs. 

O'Neil, and prompted the call for a meeting to interest the women 

of the whole church more largely ; and, as the result of that call, 

the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society was organized. Miss 

154. 



METHODIST PROTESTANT. 155 

Guthrie being present, and adding to the interest of the occasion by 
telling what women's societies were doing for female education in 
Japan, and stimulating us to take part in the same work. A con- 
stitution was adopted, and we entered upon the work of organizing 
auxiliary societies. The following year the constitution was revised, 
and so framed as to better systematize the work of the whole denom- 
ination. The country was districted into branches, each branch 
embracing all the auxiliary societies within the limits of its respec- 
tive conferences. It was the purpose to form an auxiliary in every 
church. The administration of the affairs of the whole Society is 
vested in a General Executive Board, representing all the branches, 
and meeting annually, the whole plan of organization being in har- 
mony with the government of the church. 

The approval of the General Conference was given at its ses- 
sion held in Pittsburg, in May, 1880, and the Society was acknowl- 
edged as one of the permanent agencies of the church. 

During our first year Miss Guthrie met frequently with the 
Society, encouraging with her suggestions and aiding in organizing 
auxiliaries. Her health having improved, she expressed her willing- 
ness to go to Japan and establish the work of our Society ; but with 
only $300 in the treasury, and our faith somewhat weak, we shrank 
from the undertaking ; but after much deliberation the matter was 
presented to the Church Board of Missions, and their help requested. 
Satisfactory arrangements were made between that Board and our 
Society for the support of Miss Guthrie, and soon she was on her 
way to the place chosen for her future labors in Japan. 

" Man proposes but God disposes." While waiting on our 
western shores for the vessel which was to bear her through the 
"Golden Gate of the Pacific," the summons came from the Spirit- 
land, and the pale boatman bore her across the waters to the 
golden gate of the Celestial City. 



156 woman's missionary societies. 

This dispensation of Providence fell upon us like a pall ; but, 
although God buries his workmen, He still carries on his work, and in 
response to our prayers there came an answer in the person of Miss 
H. G. Brittan, a true and tried missionary of twenty years' service, 
who with heart all aglow wdth love for the cause to which her life is 
devoted, said, " Here am I, send me ; " and again the fond farewells 
were said, and our second missionary departed, with earnest prayers 
that her life might be spared for many years of usefulness. The 
following year Miss Anna McCully went out to assist Miss Brittan, 
who had established a school in Yokohama, and was meeting with 
much success. The school numbers about fifty pupils, but want of 
room prevents further increase. 

Our Society, while not auxiliary to the Church Board of Mis- 
sions, is co-operating with that Board, and assisting to establish the 
work they have already commenced. The Society was incorporated 
in 1 88 1. We are raising a building fund for the purchase of prop- 
erty suitable for our work. We have now about $2,000 for this 
purpose. At present an annual rent of $720 is being paid for the 
property occupied as a home. Besides assisting in the furnishing 
of the Home, we pay the salaries of the missionaries, which amount 
to $1,100 a year. We have eight branch societies, eighty auxiliaries, 
seven mission bands, and have raised about $7,000. 

Our next work is to send two ladies to Japan, to learn the 
language and otherwise prepare themselves for the duty of mission- 
aries. At no distant day we expect to have a publication of our 
own, but at present we occupy a few columns of one of our official 
church organs. 

Our young Society is hopeful of the future. The history of its 
achievements in heathen lands is yet unwritten, but with faith and 
courage we are entering the " open door ; " and, in obeying the com- 
mand of our blessed Master, we look for his blessing on our work. 

January, 1883. Mrs. M. A. Miller, Cor. Sec. 



LADIES' BOARD OF MISSIONS, PRESBYTE- 
RIAN CHURCH, NEW YORK. 

In the Spring of 1868, a little band of Christian women, 
moved by the spiritual destitution of the western portion of our 
country, organized a Missionary Society, called '' The New Mex- 
ico, Arizona and Colorado Missionary Association," whose object 
was to send the Gospel into our distant territories. For nearly 
three years this society labored among our own people, the Mexi- 
cans and the Indians, raising $3,139.50, and supporting mission- 
aries, teachers, and Bible-readers, and in many other ways assist- 
ing to send the means of grace to our western territories. 

The results of this little Society were most encouraging, but 
when the reunion of the Presbyterian church called forth special 
thank-offerings and renewed efforts, it seemed that the time had 
come when the New Mexico Association should be extended, 
both in its sphere of action and in its organization at home. Ac- 
cordingly, in April, 1870, the Board of Managers passed a vote 
that the Society should be enlarged so as to meet this new de- 
mand for interest in our own church, and should combine For- 
eign Missions with the Home work, which had been the impulse 
of the first movement. The name of The Ladies' Board of Mis- 
sions of the Presbyterian Church '* was adopted, and the new so- 
ciety made itself auxiliary to the Home and Foreign Boards, and 
invited the co-operation of the women of our churches by the for- 
mation of auxiliary societies, 

IS7 



158 woman's missionary societies. 

FIRST BOARD OF OFFICERS. 

President. — Mrs. James Lorimer Graham, 

T^' -n -J ^ \ Mrs. Horace Holden. 

Vice Presidents, - j ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^ 

c<,>.«-/^^/^o i Mrs. W. Packer Prentice, 
Secretaries,-^ j Miss S. E. Brown. 
Treasurer, — Mrs. Charles P. Hartt. 

The Board of Managers consisted of Representatives from all 
the Presbyterian churches in New York city. 

The basis of this society is work for Home and Foreign Mis- 
sions ; but each auxiliary is free to choose its own branch of work, 
and the experience of eight years has proved that the two depart- 
ments may be carried on, side by side, yet with perfect independ- 
ence, and without detriment to either. 

During the first year the list of auxiliary societies amounted to 
48, and has now increased to 326. 

The receipts of the Society have been as follows, the first re- 
port being presented in November, 1871 : — 

Nov., 1871, $7,747.06; Nov., 1873, $9,835.99 ; Nov., 1873, 
$14,159.39; Nov., 1874, $20,313.71; Nov., 1875, $24,146.88; 
April, 1877, $36,155.08 ; April, 1878, $26,768.60. Total, $139,- 
126.71. 

PRESENT BOARD OF OFFICERS, 

President, — Mrs. James Lorimer Graham, 48th West loth Street, New York. 

Ten Vice Presidents. 

Treasurer. — Mrs. Charles P. Hartt. 

Assistant Treasurer. — Mrs. Joseph A. Welch. 

r Mrs. W. Packer Prentice* 

c^/.*.,/^w-c J ^iss Elizabeth S. Hunter. 
Secretaries,-^ I ^^.^^ -^^^^ p^^^^ 

I Miss Emma Strong. 

The Ladies' Board is now supporting 42 missionaries, 30 
Bible readers, 38 schools, and 100 scholarships, and is laboring in 
Syria, Persia, India, China, Siam, Japan, Africa, and Mexico, in 
the foreign field ; and in New Mexico, Utah, Montana, and 
Alaska, in the home field. 

"Our Mission Field '* was issued first of September, 1871, 
so it has now an existence of nearly seven years. It has tended 
greatly to increase the acquaintance with different countries and 



PRESBYTERIAN, 



159 



their needs ; to deepen the interest in missions, not only at the 
particular points we occupy ourselves as a society, but as scatter- 
ed over the world. It has also brought our missionaries in nearer 
contact to the women at home, making them feel like sisters in 
the work which they hold in common. As one said, " You hold 
one end of the chain in your hands and we the other. It is the 
connecting link between you and your representatives. We are 
working for you, and you are praying and laboring for us." We 
have had many expressions from those who take our Magazine, 
of the interest it gave, and how it was watched for, even by the 
youngest in the family. It seems a necessary adjunct to the So- 
ciety, to send out thus its record, and show the progress of the 
work. 

In addition to the object already named, the Ladies' Board 
has purchased property for the use of the Mission at various sta- 
tions ; has purchased or erected buildings to be used for schools ; 
has built churches and chapels, and in every way, as the Lord 
has directed it, has endeavored to take up its share of the work of 
women for missions. 

Missionaries are located as follows : — 



Mrs. Samuel Jessup 

Miss Hattie Lagrange... 

Mrs. S. H. Calhoun 

Miss Eliza D. Everett... 
*' Mary G. Lyons. ... 

Mrs. D. P. Cochran 

Miss M. K. Van Duzee. 
Mrs. Edward Ne\vton. . . 

Mrs. Chatturg-ee 

Miss Louisa Campbell . . 
Miss Jennie A. Nelson . , 
Mrs. Joseph L. Whiting. 
Mrs. Albert Whiting . . . . 
Miss A. D. H. Kelsev... 
Mrs. S. G. McFarlanH... 
Miss Sarah M. Coffman., 

Miss Mary L. Cort 

Miss S. D. Grimstead.... 
Mrs. Eugene P. Dunlap.. 
Miss Kate M. Youngman, 
Miss Fannie Galick 



.Tripoli, Syria. 



, .Beirut, " 
(( (( 

.Mt. Seir, Persia. 
.Oroomiah, " 
.Nodiana, India. 
.Hoshiapore, " 
.Ambala, *• 
.Lahore, " 

Peking, China. 
.Nanking, *' 
■ Tungchow, " 
.Petchaburi, Siam. 



Bangkok, 
Tokio, Japan. 



Mrs. Reutlinger Corisco, Africa. 

Mrs. Albert Bushnell. . . .Gaboon, " 
Mrs. Jennie M. Smith,... " " 

Miss Susan Dewsnap.... ** ** 

Mrs. Emma A. Diggs... Liberia, ** 
Mrs. John M. Deputie.... " " 

Mrs. James M. Roberts.. Taos, New Mexico, 
Miss Mary G. Burnham.. " '* " 

Miss Laura P. Annin. . . .Las Vigas, " 

Mrs. C. G. Menaul Laguna, *' 

Mrs. Griffeth Santa Fe, *♦ 

Miss M. G. Crittenden... Hamilton, Mont'na 

Miss Benney Salt Lake, Utah. 

Mrs. McMillan Man'd City " 

Mrs. A. G. McFarland.. Alaska. 

Rev. J. M. Roberts Taos, N. M. 

Rev. George G. Smith.. .Santa Fe, N. M. 
Rev. W. P. Teitsworth .Longmont, Col. 

Rev. T. W. McCoy Snohomish, W. T. 

Rafael Gallegos Airna Nigra, N.M, 

Rev. T. S. Bliss Colorado. 



* Under appointment. 



i6o woman's missionary societies. 



Ladies' Board of Missions, Presbyterian Church, New York, 

1878-83. 

The last four years bear witness to many changes in the work 
of our Ladies' Board of Missions, — to an increasing interest on 
the part of the women of the church, and a training of the children 
and young people to enter with earnestness into the work ; so that 
when those who are now in charge of it shall be called away from 
their labors, there will be others ready to take their places and 
better prepared than we were when the command was given to the 
women of Israel to go forward. 

BOARD OF OFFICERS IN 1882. 

President. — Mrs. James Lorimer Graham, 22 West Tenth St. 
Fiftee7t Vice-Presidents. 

Treasurer. — Mrs. Charles P. Hartt, 23 Centre St. 
Assistant Treasjirer. — Llrs. Joseph A. Welch. 
' Miss H. W. Hubbard. 
Mrs. A. G, Agnew. 
« C. T. White. ^ 
Secrgtaries. — \ ** C. Francis Griffin. 
Miss Emily M. Wheeler. 
Mrs. I. A. Atwater. 
^ Miss Mary Parsons. 

There are now connected with the Ladies Board of Missions, 
19 Presbyterial Societies, 497 auxiliaries and bands, 32 foreign 
missionaries, 2>^ native teachers and Bible-readers, ^i^ schools, and 
166 scholarships. In our home work we have 25 missionaries, 18 
schools, and 64 scholarships. 

From April, 1878, to January, 1883, the receipts have been : — 

Cash ....... $157,190.86 

Value of boxes ..... 52,605.85 

Total in cash from beginning . . . 296,317.57 



Missionaries of the Ladies' Presbyterian Board of Missions, 
New York, 1883. 



In the Foreign Field, 



Mrs. S. H. Calhoun Schweigat, Syria. 

Miss Eliza C. Everett Beirut, " 

•* WattieN.LaGrange, Tripoli, '^ 

Mrs. D. P.Cochran Orooraiah, Persia. 

Miss M. K. Van Duzee... *' *' 

'* Annie Montgomery.. Hamadan, ** 

Mrs. Alexander *' " 

^ •* Edward Newton Lodiana, India. 

Miss Sara; wS . Hutchinson . . My npurie, * * 

** Kate M.Youngman..Tokio, Japan. 

" 1. A. Leete " 

•* Lena Leete ** ** 

«♦ Sarah C.Smith «« '* 

" NearyE. Reade " '* 

Mrs. Jas. W. McCauley. . . " '* 

*• Joseph L. Whiting... Peking, China. 

Miss Mary G. Barr ** ** 



Miss Fannie Strong Peking, China. 

" A. D. H. Kelsey, M. D. ♦' 

** Sarah A. Warner.. . .Ningpo, ** 

Mrs. Albert Whiting Nanking, " 

*' Joseph C. Thomson.. Canton, ** 

MissM. E.Niles, M.D.,. " ^ " 

** Sarah M. Coff man. . .Petchaburi, Siam. 

" MaryL. Coit " 

" Lillian M. Linnell... " " 

Mrs. McLaren ** 

'* Eugene P. Dunlap.. ** 

** Albert Bushnell Gaboon, Africa. 

" A. W. Marling.. " " 

** Louise Reutlinger. . .Benita, '* 

** M. H. Garnet Burboza, Liberia, ** 

** Eneas McLean Valparaiso, Chili. 



In the Home Field, 



Mrs. J. M. Roberts Taos, New Mexico. 

*• MaryMcWhirt El Ranche, *' 

Miss Tillie L. Allison Santa Fe, ** 

** Everett " " 

" M.H. Patten Las Vegas, " 

'* ^L Fleming Anton del Chico, '* 

Mrs. E. Tibbals Glorieta, " 

'• Maes El Rito, ** 

Miss J. A. Olmstead Richfield, Utah. 

'' Flora Campbell Ogden, " 

•' F. Galbraith Manti, «' 

** S. L.Grimstead Cockrell, Colorado. 

" A.M.Ross San Luis, ** 



Mrs. A. R. McFarland...Ft. Wrangell, Alaska. 

Miss K. A. Rankin *' " 

Mrs. J. L.Gould Hydah, " 

Miss C. A. Gould •' «« 

*' Linda Austin (in part)Sitka, " 

'• F. E. Ufford, 

Rocky Ridge, Concord, N. C. 
** Ainsworth, '* " *' 

" L. Campbell, " '« 

" Brewster, •* ** «' 

" E.B.Atkinson ** 

" A. B. Carr ** 

Mrs. Co£Qn Florida. 



i6i 



WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 

(PRESBYTERIAN, PHILADELPHIA.) 

The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, Philadelphia, is just eight years old ; and the history 
of its short life may be described in the comforting and beautiful 
language of Scripture, which portrays the pathway of the just as 
that which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Each 
year has had a record not only of renewed mercies but great in- 
crease and rich additions. The promised light has come with the 
taking of each step, and according to our faith so has it been unto us. 

Not that all the way has been smooth and the paths easy ; far 
from it. There have been steep places and rough spaces for many 
a weary mile. Indeed, dark hours and heavy clouds have at times 
caused even the leaders to halt with trembling heart and question- 
ing look, until they were reassured by the echoes which have 
come down the ages, and which are still the Christian watchword 
of to-day, '' Speak unto my people that they go forward." 

If ever human enterprise had divine sanction — or shall we not 
rather say, command — this Woman'sMissionary work may safely 
claim it. The Lord came into the hearts of many sisters of sorrow 
whom He had prepared and sanctified by affliction, or brought by 
the direct agency of His Spirit to feel His power, and say with 
Paul, " Lord what wouldst thou have me to do.?" And in reply 
many have heard in their hearts, the words. Arise, and go to thy 
heathen sisters and lift them out of their darkness and ignorance 
into the light and knowledge of the glory of God as it is revealed 
in Jesus Christ our Saviour. 

The obedient spirit at once started in this way that the Lord 
162 



PRESBYTERIAN. 1 63 

had appointed ; and it is from such the testimony comes to-day, 
that God has been with them all the journey thus far. 

They have had the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire 
by night, and with such blessed leading there has always been 
comfort even under the keenest trial ; so that they can truly say 
when troubled on every side, we were not distressed ; and though 
perplexed, were not in despair. 

Now, after eight years of active service and earnest effort in 
this noble cause, we gladly gather with our sisters and fellow work- 
ers to-day, and from this happy outlook raise with you our Eben- 
ezer ; for truly we can all say with one voice and with one heart, 
" Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." 

The start of our organization under the Presbyterian name 
was a day of small things. 

A few of our ladies were engaged in the Woman's Union 
Missionary Society, which had an earlier existence. But when 
it became evident that the borders needed enlarging and it seemed 
as though God would have us '' Go up by lot" against the mighty 
foe, we gathered with our tribe and stood ready to work in His 
appointed way. 

In October, 1870, the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society 
of the Presbyterian church was organized. There were but a 
handful of workers on this side of the ocean, and they assumed the 
support of twelve missionaries then on the field. The financial 
result of the first year's work was $5,244.96. And the magazine en- 
titled ''Woman's Work for Woman," was started with a subscrip- 
tion list of five hundred. The second year there were twenty-six 
missionaries supported, besides sixteen Bible readers and native 
teachers, a number of children in schools at different stations, 
and an increase in the number of subscribers to '' Woman's 
Work," bringing it up to more than four thousand. The treas- 
urer's repoit for this second year notes an advance to $18,651.58. 



164 woman's missionary societies. 

In the next year everything more than doubled and each suc- 
ceeding year gives the same encouraging result. Now from the 
last annual report, just published, we have the following statement : 
" There are eighty-five missionaries now under the care of this so- 
ciety, besides one under appointment. Fifty-one of these are mar- 
ried ladies, and thirty-four are single or widows. It may be well 
to say here that as a rule these wives of missionaries are actively 
engaged in work of some kind. When they are unable, owing to 
other duties which God has given them, to engage in out-of-door 
effort, they preach the gospel of Christ Jesus continually to those 
around them, by maintaining and ordering a Christian home to 
which the natives come ; and in which they see a striking contrast 
to their own miserable abodes. We have 150 Bible readers and 
native teachers under our care, and sustain 169 day schools, and 
335 scholarships in boarding schools. It is a most noticeable and 
encouraging fact that so many of the natives are now engaged in 
establishing schools themselves, and in carrying on the mission 
work by Bible reading and teaching. This is undoubtedly the 
highest result that can be attained by missionary labor, and it is 
through this channel we expect the little leaven will find its 
way through the cold and lifeless mass of heathen humanity. 
Eight years ago, we had thirty-seven auxiliaries and twenty-three 
bands. Now we have 827 auxiliaries and 454 bands. Then 
Presbyterial societies did not exist. Now, thirty-five of these, 
form a strong, compact, reliable body of workers to whom we look 
with utmost confidence for the fulfilment of their pledges each 
year, and for steady increase in the amount pledged. Geograph- 
ically we are represented by our missionaries as follows : Twen- 
ty-three in India ; twenty in China ; five in Japan ; seven in Per- 
sia ; five in Syria ; five in Africa ; nine in South America ; three 
in Mexico ; five among the North American Indians and two in 



PRESBYTERIAN. 1 65 

California among the Chinese. Fifteen of these have been added 
to our list during the last year. One item from the treasurer's re- 
port will tell the whole financial story. It says, " Our total re- 
ceipts for the year now closed are $83,704,33. When we com- 
pare these figures with the $5,244.96 of the first year, we surely 
cannot doubt that God has been with us to give us success. Dur- 
ing these years, buildings have been erected by the funds of the 
society at Kolapoor, Mynpurie, Panalla and Etawah (India) ; Can- 
ton (China), and Sidon (Syria). Moreover, Woodstock has been 
purchased for a home and school in the Himalaya mountains in 
India ; and a house for chapel and school uses in Mexico. In ad- 
dition to these, a schoolhouse in Canton which was destroyed by 
fire was re-built, and $1,899.00 were raised to give the Bible to the 
Laos people in their own tongue. The aggregate of our receipts 
since the organization of the society is $449,067.74. A late re- 
port has this final telling sentence. Every appeal made in our 
last report for a new worker, when there was special need for 
such, has been answered by one or more being sent to that place. 
In these few facts and figures, however, " The half has not been 
told." For how much has been done and is doing daily and 
hourly that cannot be computed by figures or measured by words ! 
The unuttered prayers for a benighted one ; the silent tears of sym- 
pathy which God has bottled ; the outstretched hands to a sink- 
ing sufferer ; the protecting to a homeless wanderer ; and the cup 
of cold water in His name, all make up a grand total to encour- 
age and comfort us in the assurance that He has accepted our 
lame and imperfect service, " covering us all with the bright and 
gracious garments of His love and power." And so, taking fresh 
courage for the future we would give to one and all the right hand 
of fellowship in this noble work and bid you God speed. 

Miss Julia K. Hinkle. 



i66 woman's missionary societies. 

Woman's Foreign Missionary Society (Presbyterian, Phila- 
delphia), 1878--83. 

In recording the work of the Woman's Foreign Missionary 
Society of Philadelphia, we only tell a part of the story, in giving 
the figures of increase. We should know what the eternal life, 
which is the gift of our Lord to all who believe on him, means, if 
we would fairly judge of the fulness of the work. Rescued souls, 
holy influences, undermined obstacles, all these belong to the calcu- 
lation j and these, the spiritual results, are not covered by figures. 

The infancy of this Society was healthy and vigorous, not great 
in its achievements, but clear in its understanding and strong in its 
purpose. It is now twelve years old. What do we expect of that 
age in a well-trained human body? Not very much, beyond the 
promise of good things, — a good foundation, the occasional springing 
thought, a budding ambition and kindling desires. In this spirit- 
ual organization called into existence by the Lord of the harvest, we 
find a spiritual development with which the human knows no com- 
petition. Springing with a bound out of infancy, its youth displays 
a maturity that gives large expectation for the future. Let us never 
forget that mission work is an arm of the church of Christ ; that it 
is our business here, to keep that arm in strong and healthful exer- 
cise, and therefore that we should know no relaxation in effort and 
prayer and in expectation of the results that the Lord has promised. 

Our first year of organization, 1870, when closed eyes were 
opening and the ear began to distinguish the call to woman, realized 
in collections the sum of $5,224.96. Our twelfth year records the 
Treasurer's receipts^ $112,532.65. Aggregate to January, 1883, 
^909^33^.61. 

" Woman's Work for Woman," which began with a subscription 
list of 500, now shows its list of 10,000. ** Children's Work for 
Children " has reached a subscription of 12,250. A series of ** His- 



PRESBYTERIAN. 1 6/ 

torical Sketches" of all the missions of the Presbyterian Boards 
was undertaken and accomplished this year by the Publication 
Committee of this Society. These sketches were written by differ- 
ent clergymen and contain all the statistics with the lists of mis- 
sionaries. In the first edition of i,ooo, each sketch was printed in 
a separate pamphlet. The second edition of 3,000 has all the ten 
sketches bound together in paper covers. These are sold for fifty 
cents a copy, but each separat-e sketch can be had for ten cents. 
Smaller publications, " Medical Missions for Women,'' *^ Not your 
Own,'' a word for the children entitled *' Five to Six," and one 
for Young Ladies' Mission Bands have been produced this year. 
These with various leaflets, numbering 23,750, are the leaves from 
this tree of life of the Lord's planting. 

There are one hundred and ten missionaries, eight mission teach- 
ers, fifty-one Bible-readers and native teachers, one hundred and 
fifteen day schools, four hundred and fourteen scholarships in board- 
ing schools. Schools are in some instances becoming self-supporting 
and converted natives are a recognized aid in promoting our work. 

We have now 1,189 Auxiliary Societies, sixty having been 
added this year. One hundred and twenty-five new bands have also 
been added, making the number now seven hundred and fifty-eight. 

Presbyterial Societies have increased in the ten years since the 
first organization to forty-eight. Schools have multiplied. InWewoka 
there are ten, where more than thirty children are taught. We have 
twelve missionaries laboring among the North American Indians. 

Mexico has a most promising school established during this 
year with eighty girls in attendance, and cared for by two mission- 
ary teachers. 

We pray the Lord, in whose service we are, to pardon the short- 
comings of the past years, to sanctify the present work, and to 
order all its future that, to Him may be the glory. 

August, 1882. Mrs, E. L. Linnard. 



Missionaries of the W. F. M. Society of Philadelphia, 
Penn., 1883. 



Mrs. C. B. Newton Lahore, India. 

" J. F. Newton '* " 

Miss Clara Thiede " " 

Mrs. Reese Thackwell Rawalpindi, ** 

'* E. M. Wherry Lodiana, " 

Miss S. M. Wherry *' " 

Mrs. Wm. Calderwood....Saharanpur, " 

Miss Margaret A. Craig. . .Dehra, ** 

" Annie Herron ** " 

Mrs. J. H. Morrison ** *' 

" J. L- Scott Woodstock, *« 

Miss Anna E. Scott *' ' «« 

" Mary Fullerton " ** 

«' Irene Griffith.. '* «* 

" C.G.Williamson.... " " 

Mrs. Thos . Tracy Futtehgurh, " 

*• Geo. A. Seeley " «* 

Miss E. J. Seeley <* «« 

Mrs. Jas. F. Holcomb Allahabad, ** 

** W.F.Johnson " " 

'« J. C. R. Ewing « ^ ** 

** JamesM. Alexander, Mynpurie, ** 

Miss Christine Belz Etawah, ** 

Mrs. J . P. Graham Ratnaghiri, " 

'♦ J. M. Goheen Kolapoor, ** 

" L. B. C.Tedford.... " «* 

•« J.J.Hull I. " «» 

" G. H. Ferris Panalla, " 

" G.W. Seller ♦• " 

Miss Hattie Noyes Canton, China, 

Mrs. A. P. Happer ** ** 

Miss Mary Happer ** ** 

** Elverda Happer " " 

Mrs. B.C. Henry « ** 

Miss E. M. Butler " " 

'« Mattie Noyes ** ^ ** 

Mrs. George F. Fitch Shanghai, ** 

** Charles iLeaman Nanking, ** 

** John Butler Ningpo, ** 

*< C. W. Mateer Tungchow, ** 

" James M.Shaw " " 

** H. R. Smith *« «' 

Miss L. E. Mateer ♦* " 

Mrs. John Murray Chenanfoo, ** 

" S. A. Hunter ** « 

«' J. Hood Laughlin...Chefoo, " 

«♦ J. L. Nevius *' «* 

" J.C.Hepburn Yokohama, Japan. 

Miss C. T. Alexander ** *' 

** A.K.Davis Tokio, " 

Mrs. John C. Ballagh ....'* " 

" Maria T. True *« «< 

" T.T.Alexander.... «' " 

«• Arthur Bryan ** " 

Miss M. B. Henry *« " 

♦' S.Porter *' '« 

" Kate McFarren Bogota, S. America. 

Mrs. M. E. Caldwell " ** 

i68 



Miss Margaret Ramsay . . .Bogota, S. America. 

" Ella Kuhl San Paulo, Brazil. 

" M. Dascomb ** " 

Mrs. J. Beatty Howel " " 

** George Landis Botucatu, ** 

'/ J. F. Da Gama Riocearo, " 

Miss Phebe Thomas San Paulo, " 

Mrs. C. De Heer Benita, Africa. 

•' C. W. Gau1t '' 

** H. M. Bacheier Baraka, " 

** J.M.Reading Kangwe, " 

" R.H.Nassau " " 

Miss I. A. Nassau ** " 

*' Lydia Jones Baraka, ** 

*• Lydia B. Walker.... *' _ '\ 

Mrs. J. M. Oldfather. . . . .Oroomiah, Persia. 

*• B. Labaree " *' 

«' J. H. Shedd " '♦ 

Miss Anna Schenck Teheran, '* 

Mrs. J. L. Potter '* *' 

Miss Cora Bartlett " " 

*' Ellen Jackson Beirut, Syria. 

" E.Thomson '* *' 

Mrs. W.W.Eddy " " 

Miss H. M. Eddy SIdon, " 

'* Bessie M.Nelson '* *' 

Mrs. M.P.Ford ** " 

" T. S. Pond Shemlan, *' 

** Gerald F. Dale Zahleh, '* 

« Fred. W. March ** ** 

*' Chas. S. McClelland, Petchabuni, Siam. 

** E. A. Sturge ** '* 

" Danl. McGilvary.... Bangkok, ' " 
" James W. Vandyke.. " " 

*' J. H.Hearst. Laos, *' 

Miss L. M. Latimer Mexico City, Mexico. 

*' Fanny Snow '* ** 

Chinese in California. 

Mrs. Ira M. Condit Oakland. 

Miss M. Culbertson San Francisco. 

** Emma R. Cable *' 

«* M. Baskin " 

Indians in United States. 

Mrs. Isaac Baird Chippewas. 

" J.B.Dickson Dakotas. 

Miss C. McCreight. ...... *' 

Mrs. J. P.Williamson.... " 

Miss Nancy Hunter " 

♦' S. L. McBeth Nez Perces. 

" Kate McBeth ** 

Mrs. G. L. Deffenbaugh.. ^ " 

Miss Adeline Ramsay Seminoles. 

*« Diament ^ *' 

Mrs. Asher Wright Seneca Mission. 

«* M. F. Trippe " " 



WOMAN'S PRESBYERIAN BOARD OF MIS- 
SIONS FOR THE NORTHWEST. 

The women of the Presbyterian Church in the Northwest, as 
mission workers, send greeting to all women of like mind and 
occupation in the Methodist Church of New England ; claiming 
that our work is one in the Lord. 

In answer to your call, we would council together concern- 
ing the things of the Kingdom ; and return thanks together for 
all the blessings that have followed our endeavors. 

Having organized in December, 1870, we held our seventh 
anniversary last month in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where more than 
four hundred delegates were present. 

We number 697 auxiliary societies at work, supporting 31 
missionaries, 51 Bible readers, 104 native schools, and 99 schol- 
arships and pupils. Our contributions for the year amounted to 
$31,368.67, which is $5,000 in advance of last year. Amount 
since organization, $124,417.98. Money received first year, 

$6,33442. 

We meet annually in some prominent city or town, every 
third year gathering in Chicago as headquarters. 

We are steadily progressing in our work, but we have many 
hindrances. One of the greatest of these is ignorance of the for- 
eign work. " So much to do at home," has risen before the 
Christian wife and mother like a mountain, and she could not see 
the world as Christ's harvest field, nor hear the echo of his last 

169 



170 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

command, " Go, teach all nations." We must level this moun- 
tain and the number of workers will increase. 

The financial confusions of the past year have taught us more 
forcibly than ever, that we must Ifave systematic giving if we wish 
to redeem our pledges, — large gifts cannot be depended upon, 
and the regular offerings, usually small, prevent us from encroach- 
ing on any other church work. 

One great help in our work has been, Presbyterial organiza- 
tion. We have been able to reach all the churches by personal 
contact, and we can better follow the work. Our Presbyteries 
meet twice during the year, and our ladies are given one evening 
during the session, and the pastors co-operate with us. This 
does away with the necessity of quarterlies. We think it unwise 
to multiply meetings too frequently. We might mention more 
items, but doubtless you are familiar with them, as found in our 
reports. 

We watch your progress with interest, and your prosperity 
with gratitude to Our Father, who has permitted us all to tell 
the story of Christ's redemption. With us let there be no East or 
West ; no denominational rivalry ; for we, with all the heathen 
women, are sisters, daughters of the King, looking foward to 
one home, which our Elder Brother has gone to prepare for us. 

Mrs. G. H. Laflin. 



PRESBYTERIAN. 1 7 1 

Woman's Preseyterian Board of Missions for the North- 
west, 1878-83. 

The eleventh annual meeting of this Board was held in Minne- 
apolis, Minn., April 19 and 20. So near to the fountain head of 
our noble Mississippi, we found ourselves very near the fountain of 
the Water of Life ; and, drinking thereof, our spiritual life and mis- 
sionary zeal were quickened. 

As the year previous we had completed the first decade of our 
existence, and had marked it by an earnest endeavor to make a 
decided advance, there were some fears that this year there would 
be a falling off in gifts ; but, deducting the $10,000 that had been a 
special gift to the Persian famine sufferers, we found we had pro- 
gressed. This gave a jubilant tone to the meeting, and there was a 
quiet melody of thanksgiving in every heart. During all these years 
the work has enlarged wonderfully. The number of secretaries has 
been increased, in order to carry on editorial work and a large cor- 
respondence with the auxiliaries and the missionaries. 

Throughout our grand Northwest the Christian women are look- 
ing over the rocky coasts, across the broad Pacific, and longing to 
have some share in the greatest work of the world — its evangeliza- 
tion. Where there is a vacent pulpit, an organization of a live 
foreign missionary society proves a powerful magnet to draw a pas- 
tor. The women in the farming districts feel ^^ that they no longer 
are simply a part of a village, but by this work are made con- 
scious of their relations to the whole world.'' They promise soon 
to send word to New York, *'Look this way for recruits and 
supplies." 

Synodical and presbyterial organization is now quite complete, 
and aids materially in reaching churches in remote localities. We 
send out a hectograph letter monthly to each synodical secretary, 



1/2 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

udiich she copies and sends to the presbyterial secretary ; and she 
again distributes to each society, so that all have something from 
the mission for the month. This gives some persons a little more 
to do, but that very effort increases interest. 

We have signal aid from The Interior^ which publishes weekly 
two columns of missionary intelligence collected in our Mission 
Room, 48 McCormick Block. 

We are now supporting missionaries in every country, and at 
present are building school-houses in Laos and Mexico, and a 
church in Gwalior, India. We have sent out six young ladies the 
past year, already at work in China, India, Mexico, and among 
the Indians ; so that we are now supporting forty-two missionaries 
and more than fifty Bible-readers and native teachers engaged in 
one hundred different schools. We have enrolled 1,284 societies 
and bands in forty-nine thoroughly organized presbyteries. 

The contributions for the year amounted to $71,333.42, making 
our total receipts from December, 1870, to Jan. 10, 1883, $326,102.47. 
These figures represent gifts from some Christians out of their abun- 
dance, others have given with sacrifice. Some have given the tenth 
as prescribed under the Mosaic law, and many have given the free- 
will offering over and above all. Each heart is conscious of the 
commendation she deserves, and the reckoning must be solemnly 
held with the Master. 

But setting aside what others do, let us each one, from this 
day, do our utmost. As one secretary writes, ^' Seed-time and har- 
vest shall not fail so long as the world stands, and the harvest of 
souls is as certain as that of grain, in the Lord's appointed time. 
But the seed sowing must precede this glorious day, and be kept 
continually watered and tended by faithful husbandmen.*' Herein 
lies our duty and privilege. * 

Mrs. George H. Laflin. 



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173 



THE WOMAN^S BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS 



CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

Early in 1880 a letter was received by Rev. W. J. Darby, of 
Evansvilie, Ind., from Rev. A. D. Hail, a missionary of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church, at Osaka, Japan, urging that steps be 
taken at the next meeting of the general assembly, to convene in 
Evansvilie, May, 1880, to enlist the women of the church more 
actively in Foreign Missions. The letter also contained a strong 
appeal to Christian women in behalf of the women and children of 
Japan. 

Mr. Darby presented the matter to the women of his congrega- 
tion, who readily expressed their desire to do all they could to fur- 
ther such a movement, and a committee was appointed to consult 
with the Board of Missions. The consultation resulting favorably, 
the following call was made through the church papers : — 

"7"^ the Women of the Cumberlaitd Presbyterian Chtirch: 

*' Being deeply impressed that the time is at hand, in the providence of God, 
when the women of our church should be more heartily enlisted in the work of 
saving the nations that now sit in darkness^ the Woman's Foreign Missionary 
Society of the Evansvilie congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
after consultation with the general assembly's Board of Missions, hereby invite 
the women of the several congregations in said church to send representatives to 
this city to unite in convention for the purpose of forming a Woman's Board of 

174 



PRESBYTERIAN. 1/5 

Foreign Missions, and of devising plans for future work ; the same to meet in 
Evansville, Ind., on Tuesday, May 25, 1880." 

In accordance with the above call, seventy women, representing 
all parts of the church, met in Evansville, May 25, 1880, to con- 
sider the subject of permanent organization. It was a happy event 
going forward, to the women of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church. The meeting was addressed by Mrs. Sturgis, twenty- 
eight years a missionary in the Ascension Islands, and Mrs. S. J. 
Rhea, who spent several years in Persia. Both ladies in giving their 
experience, and telling of the glorious results of missionary work, 
especially in the wide field open to woman in foreign lands, did 
much to inspire those present to renewed zeal for the Master's 
cause. It was a precious hour, and only the great Father knows 
the earnest and heartfelt prayers that were offered for wisdom and 
guidance. The following day a Constitution was adopted, the sec- 
ond article being : — 

'* The object of this Board shall be to promote an interest among the women 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in behalf of Foreign Missions, and to 
work in co-operation with the general assembly's Board of Missions in sending 
the gospel to the heathen, especially the women and children." 

It is a fact worthy of notice that at this first meeting a young 
lady. Miss A. M. Orr of Missouri, offered her services to the Board 
and expressed her willingness to enter at once upon the work. 



RESULTS. 

During the two years since organization, two hundred auxilia- 
ries have been formed. About $8,500 have been contributed. We 
have twelve life members. We have sent two missionaries, Miss 
Alice M. Orr, of Kirksville, Mo., and Miss Julia A. Leavitt, Bloom- 



176 woman's missionary societies. 

field, Ind., to Osaka, Japan. Three girls are being educated in 
Miss Starkweather's school. 

We expect during the present year to send other missionaries 
and to establish a girls' school in the interior of Japan, and an 
orphanage in Osaka. 

We have held two annual meetings ; the first in Evansville, 
Ind., and the second in Bowling Green, Ky. Both have been ex- 
ceedingly profitable meetings, and have done much toward extend- 
ing the interest and influence of the work. 

A portion of the " Missionary Record," the official organ of the 
Board of Missions of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, is used 
in the interest of our Board.'^ 

The women of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church are 
greatly encouraged in their labors, both at home and abroad. Feel- 
ing confident that the hand of God is leading them into fields ripe 
for the harvest. 

We are in our infancy, but have the assurance of growth and 
strength, if nourished by faith in God, and courage to " be about 
our Father's business.'' 

Mrs. W. J. Darby. 
1882. 



BOARD OF OFFICERS, 



Mrs. R. B. Ruston, President, 
" W. F. Nisbet, Vice-President, 
** D. S. Ragon, Foreign Secretary. 
" W. J. Darby, Recording Secretary. 



Miss Lillie Taylor, Corresponding Secretary, 
Mrs. N. A. Lyon, Treasurer. 

♦• Wm. Kurtz. 

** M. J. Parsons. 



* Address Mr. Geo. E. Patton, 210 Olive Street, St. Louis, Mo. 



WOMAN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF 
THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. 

The Woman's Missionary Association of the United Brethren 
Church is in its infancy, having only been working under a 
properly constructed constitution for the past two years, before 
that time, during a period of three years, our sowing was a scat- 
tering one, and we saw but very little fruit of our labor. 

Our present mode of operation is to have a Branch Society 
in each conference with a local society for each congregation in the 
conference. The secretaries of all local societies are furnished 
with blanks which they fill out quarterly to the branch secretaries, 
and they in turn send aggregated reports to the recording secre- 
tary of Board of Managers, which convenes the first Wednesday 
in May of each year. During the interim of the board meetings, 
an executive committee, consisting of the officers of the board of 
managers, with a quorum at Dayton, transacts all the business of 
the Association with full authority to do what it in its judgment 
deems best. 

Our outlook is encouraging for the short lime we have been 
systematically working. We have one missionary in Africa. 

This mission is a new one, having only been regularly taken 
possession of since Feburary I, 1878. It is situated about sixty 
miles inland and is represented as beautiful for situation. The 
people are largely Mohammedan in their belief. This will be our 

177 



1/8 woman's missionary societies. 

main station. Around this place we propose to start schools in the 
adjacent towns, exclusively for children. They will be taught by 
native teachers, superintended by a white missionary. This plan 
of educating the children was conceived by one of our returned 
African missionaries, Mrs. A. L. Billheimer, w^ho is now travel- 
ling in this country, and is meeting with signal success in all our 
congregations wherever she has yet set forth her plea. 

It is under contemplation, also, to establish a mission among 
the Chinese in California, so that our work is not exclusively for- 
eign. We have sent to our missions in the East, but our objective 
point is Africa. 

Our association was organized October, 1875, in First U. B. 
Church, Dayton, Ohio. 

For several years the efforts of the society were confined to 
the Miami Conference, but in the summer of 1875, Mrs. Hadley, 
having returned from Africa, thought the work ought to be ex- 
tended throughout the church, accordingly a mass meeting was 
held at which a general organization was effected. 

We have now from twxlve to fifteen branch societies, repre- 
senting as many conferences, with about fifty local societies, — 
these are steadily increasing. 

It will be impossible for us to send you any just estimate of 
our finances at this time, as our reports have not come in for this 
year. 

Mrs. Benj. Marot, Cor. Sec. 



UNITED BRETHREN. 1 79 

A^oman's Missionary Association of the United Brethren 
IN Christ, 1879-83. 

Since the previous sketch by Mrs. Mariot, our Association has 
been moving steadily forward. We now have thirty branch Socie- 
ties with a membership of about 5,000. 

In 1879, Miss Beekin, our missionary in Africa, was compelled 
to relinquish her work on account of sickness. We were fortunate 
to secure the services of Mrs. M. M. Mair, of Glasgow, Scotland, 

— she having had many years experience as a missionary in Africa, 

— to take charge of Bomphe Mission. January, 1879, w^e obtained 
a deed for one hundred acres of land near Rotufunk, a town on 
the upper Bomphe River. Upon this ground a substantial m.ission 
house has been erected and is now occupied. 

German Mission. — May, 1880, we undertook the support of a 
missionary in Coburg, Germany. Many express surprise that mis- 
sionary work should be needed in classical Germany ; but the estab- 
lished churches are for the most part given over to formalism, and 
the people do not habitually attend religious services. The field is 
a moral desert. The missionaries, by mingling with the people, and 
making personal efforts for the salvation of their souls, win them to 
a vital, spiritual Christianity. We have one organized church; and 
the missionary, Rev. G. Noetzold, preaches regularly in three other 
towns, and frequently vists and preaches in villages adjacent. 

Chinese o?z the Coast, — From unavoidable delay, our school 
among the Chinese has not been opened. At the last meeting of 
the Board it was decided to open a school in Portland, Oregon, as 
soon as we can get a teacher on the ground. We deem this a most 
important work, and a grand opportunity of reaching a heathen 
people, in many respects, unencumbered with the civil and social 
restrictions of their native land. 



i8o woman's missionary societies. 

Incorporation, — March 28, 188 1, the Association was regularly 
incorporated. 

Woman's EvangeL — January, 1882, we published the first 
number of a monthly paper in the interest of the Association, with 
a subscription list of one thousand names, and a small fund con- 
tributed by friends of the new enterprise. It is a sixteen-page 
paper, large clear type, called *^ Woman's EvangeL" The gospel 
has been a glad evangel to the women of all Christian nations, and 
we hope in some measure to make our paper an announcement of 
glad tidings to heathen women. We regard this as a most impor- 
tant step in our work, and are confident that by the means of this 
little messenger, we shall be able to reach many who are not inter- 
ested, and give information to workers that will increase their 
interest and efficiency. With the issue of the sixth number, we 
have eighteen hundred subscribers. 

June 22, 1882. Three missionaries were appointed for Bom- 
phe Mission, West Africa who sailed in October. They are conse- 
crated, earnest workers, and we expect to be able to occupy many 
of the towns calling for help. In November a school for Chinese 
was established at Portland, Oregon, under direction of Mrs. Ellen 
Sickafoose, of Buchanan, Mich. 

During the past year we have collected $7,006.57. Aggregate 
amount since organization, $18,538.54. 

In reply to inquiries it may be stated that our Society is 
entirely separate and distinct from the General Missionary Board of 
our church. We are recognized by the General Conference as an 
independent body. We are encouraged to go where we deem best, 
and do all the good we can. We employ both men and women in 
our missions. Our Society is not only "woman's work for woman," 
but "woman's work for the world." 

Mrs. L. R. Keister. 



Missionaries Employed ly Woman's Missionary Association 
of U. B. in Christ, 1882. 



Name. 


Appointed. 


Mission Station. 




Oct. lo, 1876. 
April 4, 1879. 

May 20, 1881. 

June 22, 1882. 
i< (( it 
t( tt (( 


Rotufunk, Bomphe, West Africa. 


M rs M M Mair 


Rev J. B. W. Johnson t 


Palli, ** ** ** 




<( ti n a 


Rev. and Mrs. J. B. Wilson f 

Rev G Noetznld 


Rotufunk. " *♦ " 
Coburg, German, Germany. 
Grema, Bomphe, West Africa. 
Rotufunk. " '* ** 


Mr. Weeks t 


Rev. R N. West 




<( i( (( tt 




C( C{ H (( 







* Now at home. 



t Native missionaries. 



i8i 



SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING FEMALE 
EDUCATION IN THE EAST. 

The annual meeting of this Society was held at the residence 
of Mr. and the Misses Haldane, London, at whose invitation a 
numerous and influential company assembled under the presiden- 
cy of the Earl of Shaftesbury. 

Mr. Haldane read the report, from which the following ex- 
tracts are made : — 

" It may, perhaps, be necessary to remind some of the friends present 
on this occasion, that this Society was established in 1834, for the purpose 
of conveying sound scriptural instruction to women and girls of all classes 
in Asia and Africa, either in their own secluded homes, or in schools. 
Since that time it has prepared and sent forth 153 European female teach- 
ers, and has assisted to send out other sixty-two. There are now employ- 
ed under its auspices 31 European and about 300 native teachers, almost all 
the latter having been trained in its schools ; 370 schools, containing up- 
wards of 20j000 children, are in connection with the Society. The number 
of Zenanas open to its teachers is about 204, containing more than 1,000 
pupils. The aim of the missionary teachers sent forth by this Committee, 
is fourfold : ist, to point their pupils to ' the Lamb of God, which taketh 
away the sin of the world.' 2d, to enable each of them to read the Bible 
for herself, in her own tongue. 3d, to impart to them all other useful 
knowledge which circumstances may render advisable. 4th, to train na- 
tive agents to carry on the work. 

** India. — The chief part of the Society's work is in India, where Zena- 
na work was very early attempted by its missionaries. The first teachers 
sent by an English Committee to Hindoo and to Mohammedan Zenanas 
Were those of this Society, whose missionaries now carry on Zenana Mis- 

182 



CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 1 83 

sions at different stations. Boarding, day, and infant schools, and orphan- 
ages in India, are also maintained, superintended, or assisted by the Soci- 
ety, as well as training classes for native women. One of the missionary 
correspondents of the Committee has given some painful details respecting 
a subject which has caused deep anxiety, as it threatens to interfere serious- 
ly with the work of Christian education in India, namely, the efforts of the 
Hindoos and Mohammedans to have orphanages of their own, in order to 
secure the little ones of their people from Christian influence. She states : — 

" ' The Girls' Orphanage has become smaller in number, so many of the 
elder girls are married, and scarcely any new girls have come, as Govern- 
ment is no more sending the orphans into Christian Orphanages, as they 
did formerly, but give them to any Hindoo or Mohammedan who will take 
the children. Only those whom nobody will take, the lame, the blind, the 
sick, or miserable, or those afflicted with some illness or other, are now 
sent to the Mission Orphanages. Hindoos and Mohammedans write pub- 
licly in the newspapers against the Christian Orphanages. They have al- 
ready begun to erect Hindoo Orphanages. Only a few days ago a Hindoo 
wrote in the newspapers an appeal for money in order to erect a new Or- 
phanage. He writes : — 'It cannot but be noticed that the famine is leav- 
ing behind it an awful large number of poor boys and girls, who sadly miss 
their parents, and are turned adrift in the wide world, homeless and friend- 
less, and my fellow-citizensmust know that the Christian missionaries and 
their friends from foreignlands. have taken it into their heads to turn the pres- 
ent opportunity to some account, snatching the orphaned Hindoo children 
to give them rice with one hand and Christianity with the other hand, 
making the former the means with which to convert the ignorant little ones 
to the latter, which is not the religion of their fathers.' The writer then 
goes on to work upon the feelmgs of the Hindoos to erect an Orphanage, 
where the orphans of the late famine can be brought up in the Hindoo 
faith. 

'' While, however, the enemy seems thus to be coming in ' like a flood,* 
the Committee desire to realize that the Spirit of the Lord can lift up a 
standard against him. Sixteen district Societies, European and American, 
are now carrying on Zenana work in India ; and while there is cause for 
thankfulness that a hundred and twenty ladies in connection with them 
are telling the ' old, old story' to their secluded sisters, the question natur- 
ally arises in the mind of the Christian, on contemplating the vastness of 
that empire, *What are these among so many.?' and while here and there, 
these laborers can tell of inquirers, and even of baptisms, it is still true 
that darkness covers the earth, * and gross darkness the people.' Yet en- 
couragement to go on sowing the seed increases year by year, and the 



184 woman's missionary societies. 

workers are strengthened by the promise that the word of the Lord shall 
not return unto Him void. * India is now like a glacier,' a preacher in 
Calcutta recently remarked, * hard, frozen, impenetrable, stretching down 
to the smiling plains below. A block of ice is occasionally melted by God's 
love shining so wonderfully upon it. If you can but permeate the Zenanas 
with the grace that is in Christ Jesus, the glacier shall flow down in a river 
which shall refresh and gladden the whole land, and cause the wilderness to 
blossom as a rose.' 

** Japan. — The work of the Committee in Japan is comparatively re- 
cent; but one woman has already publicly confessed her faith in Christ and 
received Christian baptism. 

*' China. — The largest Chinese Mission connected with the Society is 
in the British colony of Singapore, and includes a boarding school, two 
ragged schools, prayer meetings, mothers' meetings, Bible classes, sewing 
classes, and visiting the women in their homes. Miss Cooke, the Society's 
valued Missionary here, has had much to encourage and cheer her during 
the past year in her Chinese Girls' School, and the missionary work carried 
on in connection with it. The school has been full, the number of pupils 
has been forty; and four Christian girls have been happily married. Miss 
Cooke has been ably assisted in her work by Miss Ryan and Miss Foster, 
who have labored with her, the former for twenty-two, the latter for three 
years ; and also by seven native missionaries, trained in her own school. 

**Miss Cooke has been permitted this year to send forth another mis- 
sionary to China, Wee Inn, who, twenty years ago, was, as Miss Cooke 
describes, * bought by Malay sailors in China, brought to Singapore, to 
be brought up and sold again as a slave. The police brought her to this 
school. God said to me, *Take this child, nurse and educate her for Me.' 
Wee Inn sailed for China on November 26th to join Miss Houston at Foo- 
chow. She is believed to be the first Chinese woman who has gone out as 
a missionary unmarried. Miss Cooke states that there are four more young 
women in her school, well qualified for missionary work, whom she could 
send forth in the same way. The Committee consider that the Chinese 
Girls' School is thus eminently fulfilling one great object of its establish- 
ment, namely, the preparation and employment of native agency. 

*' South Africa. — A passing glance at one of the Society's Stations 
in South Africa is all that can now be given. Miss Sturrock and her niece 
have furnished very full and interesting accounts of the work which, 



CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 1 85 

with true zeal and devotedness, they continue to carry on at Peelton, Kaf- 
firland. The commodious school house, for which MissSturrock herself col- 
lected the greater part of the funds, has been completed, and opened under 
the name of Shaftesbury Hall, as a memorial of the valuable support ob- 
tained for the undertaking through the influence of the Earl of Shaftesbury 
during her last visit to England. It is an interesting fact that one of the 
first visitors to Miss Sturrock's new school house, was the Hon. Cecil Ash- 
ley, Lord Shaftesbury's youngest son. Mr. Ashley lays particular stress 
on missionary agency. The Government Inspector has testified to the ef- 
ficiency of the school by recommending an increased grant; but there is 
cause for very serious anxiety respecting the safety of this station, which is 
situated close to the districts disturbed by the Kaffir war. The Committee 
earnestly ask their friends to join them in prayer that He who only can 
* make wars to cease,' will preserve their valued missionaries in safety, and 
not allow this important work to suffer from * the wrath of man.' 

** In conclusion, it must be repeated that the Committee allow of no 
mere secular education, but their missionaries are required to point all 
their pupils, whether in Zenanas or in schools, to the ' Lamb of God which 
taketh away the sin of the world,' and to give daily instruction in the 
Word of God. The Committee, therefore, taking their stand on the ground 
of pure Protestant evangelical teaching for all alike, whether * Barbarian, 
Scythian, bond or free,' call upon the Lord's people to assist them in their 
work ; first, by earnest prayer for their missionaries, and for those amongst 
whom they labor, and secondly, by devising * liberal things ' on their be- 
half. The time for work may be but short, and they would therefore urge 
the consideration of the apostle's injunction on the subject of Christian lib- 
erality, — * Now, therefore, perform the doing of it ; that, as there was a 
readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which yje 
have." 

The Rev. Mr. Shaffter from Madras, said that he was proud to have 
been connected with Mission work in India for a quarter of a century. His 
father, he said, was the first missionary sent out to Tinnevelly, and per- 
haps he could not do better than contrast the condition of the women of 
that district in 1827, when his father went out, and now. At that time, they 
were steeped in ignorance and superstition, and there was an almost insup- 
erable objection on the part of even educated natives to allow their wives 



1 86 WOMAN*S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

or daughters to be educated. They thought that education, instead of be- 
ing an advantage to their women, would be a positive drawback. One 
Hindoo of high caste, on being asked why he did not have his girls educa- 
ted, replied that he found them difficult enough to manage as it was, and 
he did not know what they would become if they were taught reading, 
writing and arithmetic. From their birth there was no regard paid to them, 
and they grew up without the slightest intellectual or spiritual cultivation, 
and spent their lives for the most part in idle gossip and in the admiration 
of the jewelry with which almost every part of their bodies were adorned. 
Their marriage was a matter of pecuniary arrangement with their father, 
who positively sold them to the suitor who would give him the most mon- 
ey; and the ceremony, when it took place, was marked by feasting of such 
an extravagant kind that the family oftentimes remained in debt for years 
afterwards. After the feasting was over, the married life of the Hindoo 
girl or woman was little better than slavery. She was treated by her hus- 
band, as a matter of course, as altogether an inferior being; and when he 
went on a journey, did not dare even to sit with her feet pointins: in the same 
direction as her husband had gone. If she should unhappily become a 
widow, it was her duty at one time, to sacrifice herself on her husband's 
funeral pyre, and even now, in those districts where the influence of Chris- 
tianity had not made itself felt, her head was shaved, she was deprived of 
all her jewelry, excluded from society, and altogether treated as if she 
were not fit to live. The only native women who acquired any knowledge 
at all, were the nautch-girls who attended in the pagodas or temples, and 
danced in front of the idols on special occasions. These were known as 
"the wives of the gods," and one reason, not without weight, why some 
natives would not have females of their family educated, was a fear that 
they might have them considered as nautch-girls. To deal with such a 
state of society as that was very uphill work for the missionaries, who at 
first commenced work with the children. But they soon found that home 
influences of the mothers completely counteracted whatever good was done 
in the school, and became convinced that the only way to success lay through 
the women, and the Society for Promoting Female Education in the East 
was the first society which came to their help, and the girls whom they 
were thus enabled to train and educate, had proved of the utmost value. 

After working in Tinnevelly he was removed to a district near Madras, 
containing about one million inhabitants in two or three thousand villages. 



CAURCH OF ENGLAND. 18/ 

Here his wife, aided by the Society for Promoting Female Education in the 

East, commenced Zenana work, which was, however, hindered at first by 
the superstition of the natives, who spread all kinds of absurd rumors as 
to their objects and intentions. Gradually, however, the work grew, and 
as the result of three or four years' labor, there were over twenty Hindoo 
women now receiving instruction in that district. As to the method of in- 
struction in the truths of Christianitj^, he found from experience that it 
was by far the best plan to commence with the Scriptures, and not lead up 
to them through secular instruction; for when the Bible was first intro- 
duced, no matter how far advanced the pupils may be in secular instruc- 
tion, they regarded it with as much suspicion as they would had it been 
brought to their notice at first. 

Mr. Shaffter went on to give several instances within his own knowl- 
edge of permanent good resulting from the work of the agents of the Soci- 
ety, one particularly striking one being the case of a village of demon wor- 
shippers, the inhabitants of which had embraced Christianity. After under- 
going with great firmness fierce persecutions from the heathen by whom they 
were surrounded, smallpox broke out among them, and they were taunted 
by the remarks of their neighbors that the demons whom they had forsak- 
en were taking their revenge. At length the smallpox left them, but in a 
few months there was a virulent outbreak of cholera, which, together with 
the continued mockery of their heathen neighbors, sorely tried their faith, 
and led some of them to think that God had forsaken them. But through 
the noble and heroic example of a native woman who had been converted 
through the agency of this Society, and who exhorted her companions to 
continue firm in their Christianity, they were safely brought through this 
additional trial and became the centre of a vast amount of beneficent in- 
fluence on the surrounding villages. 

The Rev. F. Bellamy, of Kazareth, next addressed the meeting. He 
said that in Palestine the work of the Society for Promoting Female Edu- 
cation in the East, was the complement of the work of the Church Mission- 
ary Society, for it would be impossible for the work of the one to be com- 
plete in any one place without the aid of the other. The Church Mission- 
ary Society had enough to do without taking up the education of the girls, 
which, besides, seemed to him to be a work in which ladies should be spe- 
cially engaged. In Nazareth the two societies were working together com- 
pletely and well ; and if he might be allowed to express an opinion formed 



1 88 woman's missionary societies. 

from considerable experience, no greater prudence and judgment could be 
displayed than that exercised by the agents of this Society in Palestine. 
The Society's orphanage in Nazareth, the inmates of which received a 
thoroughly industrial trainmg, was an excellent institution, healthily sit- 
uated, and economically managed. One important element of success in 
the management of this, as well as other missionary Institutions, was not 
to interfere with nature's habits and customs so lon^ as they were not con- 
trary to cleanliness and social propriety. Altogether, the Society in Pal- 
estine was doing a great and good work. 

The Rev. Dr. Boultbee, Principal of St. John's College, Highbury, 
made a short statement which he said was supplementary to the interest- 
ing Report which had been read, and which showed in a way which was 
most gratifying that the good seed was being sown the wide world over. 
In the first place he had to announce that in connection with the Society, a 
lady had gone out to Japan, a country which gave promise of a remarkable 
future, and which offered a very favorable field for the operations of the So- 
ciety. Then he had also to state that three more English ladies were being 
trained for Zenana work in India, and every one who knew how much 
the future of that greatcountry depended upon its women, must regard such 
a fact as this as one of very great importance. Lastly, he wished to men- 
tion a matter of very touching interest, and that was, that the widow and 
daughter of the late Bishop Smith, of Hong Kong, had oflfered themselves 
to the Society, to be employed in God's work on the scene of her late hus- 
band's self-denying labors. This was a striking and touching instance of 
devotion to missionary work, which could not languish while such noble 
self-denial existed. Something of the same spirit must have prompted the 
Hon. Cecil Ashley, the son of their noble Chairman, to write the interest- 
ing letter on behalf of the Kaffir population of South Africa, regarding 
whose capacities and condition he had made such pains-taking investiga- 
tions. Could Mrs. Smith and her daughter speak their own thoughts on 
this matter, they would probably be those which good Bishop Patterson 
had given expression to, and they were to the following effect: *' Don't 
make out that in devoting ourselves to missionary work we are such great 
heroes; for it is in reality very little that we are thereby doing for God." 
That may, however, said Dr. Boultbee, be all very well for missionaries 
themselves to say, but when such friends offered themselves, they could 
only express their gratitude to God, and ask themselves, whether, if they 



CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 1S9 

could not offer personal service, they were doing all they could to help for- 
ward the work of those who did. 

The Rev. W. T. Sattianadan, a native clergyman of the English Church 
from Madras, said that he had not been in England more than a month, 
but he found that a very erroneous opinion respecting the women of his 
country prevailed among all classes of society. This was probably due to 
the want of an accurate knowledge of the early history of India, which 
showed that the native women were not always in so degraded a condition 
as had been described by Mr. Schaffter. During the last five hundred years, 
Indian history might be divided into three periods — the Hindoo, Mohamme- 
dan, and English. In the Hindoo period, the female portion of the popu- 
lation were in a condition which might fairly be called noble. They were 
then educated, and learning was much valued among them. Even to this 
day one of the poems of a poetess of that age was sung in the country, and 
this poem inculcated the principle that a learned man should be happier 
than a monarch, for while the latter only received honor in his own coun- 
try, the former received it in whatever part of the world he chose to go. 
Mr. Sattianadan excited great interest by singing a stanza of this poem in 
the native language. In the Hindoo period, too, the women had a voice in 
choosing their own husbands, and exercising it too. But all this was 
changed with the Irruption of the Mahommedans. With them came degra- 
dation and retrogression. The Mohammedans kept their women shut up 
in their Zenanas, and partly by the force of example and partly by the fear 
of molestation and insult from their conquerors, the Hindoos gradually 
adopted the same system. Then came the English period, and it was soon 
seen that any effort to raise India in the scale of nations, must, to be suc- 
cessful, devote considerable attention to the improvement of the condition 
of the women. This was what the missionary societies were doing, and 
one of the most successful of these societies was the Society for Promoting 
Female Education in the East. India, he thought, had peculiar claims 
upon England. God, in his providence, had intrusted this country with 
the charge of India, something in the same way as Pharaoh's daughter in- 
trusted the child Moses to Jochebed, saying, *'Take this child and nurse it, 
and I will pay thee thy v^^ages." Between the two countries a close tie ex- 
isted, and the tendency of recent events was to make that tie closer than 
ever, for had we not summoned Indian soldiers to fight in conjunction with 
our own troops, the armies of the Czar? However, he trusted that the 



190 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

ladies of England would do their best to raise the women of India to their 
own happj' condition. Considerable progress in this good work had al- 
ready been made, and his wife (who, as the only daughter of the Rev. 
John Devasagaj^an, an agent of the Church Missionary Society, belongs 
to a fourth generation of Hindoo Christians) had in connection with the 
Society twenty Zenanas under her supervision in four of the suburbs of 
Madras. These contained in all, fifty young ladies belonging to the upper 
classes of Hindoo society, Brahmins included. As an instance of the 
good resulting from the Society's work, he might mention that one of these 
young ladies, becoming convinced of the truth of Christianity, expressed 
a desire for instruction preparatory to baptism. Notwithstanding the en- 
treaties of her relatives, she remained firm, received the rite of baptism, be- 
came a teacher in the school, and was eventually married to a young native 
Christian. About three years after her marriage she was stricken with a 
serious illness, during which sad time she showed her love for t lie Word of 
God, by urging all her visitors to read to her from the Bible. This was her 
chief delight, and she frequently stated that her whole trust was in God. 
Her illness terminated fatally, but before her death she intrusted her only 
child to his and his wife's care, with the request that she should be '* brought 
up for Jesus." Other similar instances had come under his personal obser- 
vation. 

In conclusion, the Rev. Gentleman said that the Gospel which had 
raised England, would also raise India. When he read English history, he 
found that England at the commencement of that history was in a state of 
degradation, but now, through her Christianity, she was in the forefront 
of the nations of the world. He, therefore, earnestly hoped and prayed 
that the power of God's Holy Spirit would eventually raise India to the 
same pinnacle of honor and glory. 

Extracts from addresses of the Earl of Shaftesbury are as fol- 
lows : — 

The testimony given by a native clergyman from Madras, shows from 
his knowledge of the history of his own country, that the women of India 
were not always in the degraded state in which they are now. I had heard 
that from others and also from a great many Hindoos who have bewailed 
the sorrows and afflictions of their land. I believe the Hindoos were in a 
far better condition before the irruption of the Mohammedans. That great 
invasion altered their social system, degraded them to the position of slaves, 



CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 



191 



and above all things affected their social domestic system by the introduc- 
tion of polygamy. I remember perfectly well a great number of Hindoos 
being assembled at my house who spoke with earnestness about the 
vast importance of the regeneration of India. They all said that the first 
step to be taken by the Government in authority, was to interdict polygamy 
by force of law. Of course they declared it was not a Hindoo system, but 
was forced upon them by the Mohammedans ; and they trusted that the 
Government having succeeded in superseding the government of the Mo- 
hammedans, would also restore them to their pristine social purity. It 
is very evident that wherever Mohammedanism goes it withers and mil- 
dews everything it touches. For the last four hundred years they have 
cursed the finest provinces the sun ever shone upon. However, it is de- 
clining, and we trust the whole thing will evaporate very shortly. Still, 
it has left a stain on the Hindoo mind, and it is for us to do what we can to 
restore the Hindoo people to their old independence. We have great hopes 
that this may be done when we consider the character of the Hindoo in 
time past, and how they then manifested many domestic virtues. There 
is no reason why, by your efforts, and with God's blessing, they may not 
be brought back. But the difficulties are very great, and there are ten 
thousand obstacles in your way. You have to deal with degraded material 
upon which you can operate with little effect. I believe this is the case, 
in South India particularly, with respect to the female sex. Although 
woman externally, when she goes out to the market or the bazaar is an ab- 
solute slave, the moment she enters the house she becomes absolute mis- 
tress ; therefore, as you have been told, your great object is to get posses- 
sion of the women, for they exercise the greatest influence within the 
family, and are in themselves, at the present moment, most antagonistic to 
the progress of Christianity. Now you have undertaken that which is 
specially your work. The subject is so complicated, and the things to be 
done are so various, that no mind is capable of directing itself to the whole 
of these. It must be done step by step, and by your minds and hearts be- 
ing applied to some one special object. You have chosen this mode of in- 
troducing moral and spiritual life to the women of India, and you have 
chosen wisely. Everybody must see that if you can, by God's blessing, 
infuse into their minds Christian principles and the knowledge of the Gos- 
pel, it stands to reason that you have secured a great element of power. 
The mother, of necessity, is absolute over the child for many years. She 



192 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

inculcates the principles of morality and true religion. They may for 
a time be obliterated, but they are never altogether effaced, and very often 
they return near the close of life in all their original force. * * ♦ 

It is no longer possible to question the necessity of missions. I am 
old enough to recollect how people tabooed the duty of spreading Christian- 
ity among the heathen. All that is gone. The only argument we have 
now, and I hear it sometimes, is, that we may be neglecting our own 
country. But we do not. Now I wish to lay down this great principle : 
that we do a very great deal for our own country rf we do all that we can 
for other countries. We do a great deal for England, spiritually if we 
carry the Gospel to foreign lands. We do a great deal for England social- 
ly if we improve the social condition of other countries. We do much 
for England commercially if we raise the status of the people of other 
countries. In every way in which you can advance foreign Missions 
you are advancing the people of your own country. We know very well 
how much we depend on other countries. * * * The great in- 
terests of England are wrapped up in the great temporal and eternal inter- 
ests of the whole body of mankind. Therefore I am promoting the truest 
patriotism when I do everything I can to support such institutions as these, 
and thus raise the whole generation of the human race to a far higher level 
than it has yet attained. 

Thank God for the operations of Societies such as this ; and when we 
look at the vast number of these spread all over England, and throughout 
the world, and contrast this with the state of things sixty or seventy years 
ago, we see what mighty results may be achieved. People are impatient 
for results, forgetting that what is not seen is very often far greater than 
that which is seen. But whatever may be the apparent results, let us go 
forward; at any rate there will be one great consolation to know that 
through the efforts you have been making there have been many more 
hearts to desire and voices to pray for the second advent of our blessed 
Lord. 



European Missionaries now employed by this Society, 

WITH DATE OF THEIR APPOINTMENT AND PRESENT ADDRESS. 



Miss Harding' • South Africa, 1841. 

« Asten, • Capetown, 1848. 

« Cooke, • Singapore, 1S53. 

«« Packer Calcutta, 1854 Orissa, 1865. 

** Ryan, Singap ore, 1855. 

*< Hicks, .• Shemlan, Lebanon, 1859. 

•* Terrom, •.••••. Amritsur, Punjaub, i860 Lodiana, 1867. 

«« Jacombs, Shemlan,i863 Sidon, i868, Bethlehem, 1878. 

" Oxlad, Hong Kong, 1863 Osaka,Japan, 1877, 

•* Sturrock Peelton, South Africa, 1863. 

«* Stainton, Shemlan, 1864.... Nazareth, 1867.... Sidon, 1871.... Bethlehem, 1878. 

•* Houston, Singapore, 1864 Fowchow, 1875. 

<* Adie, Beyrout, 1868 Jerusalem, 1871. 

** Andrews, Lodiana, Punjaub, 1869. 

** Davidson, (Honorary), Agra, North India, 1869. 

<* Challis,. . . : Nazareth, 1871 Shemlan, 1875. 

** Tanner, Nazareth, 1871. 

" Leigh, Cuttack, Orissa, Eastlndies, 1873. 

* •* Mdile. Pousaz, Zenana work, Delhi, 1873. 

** Dickson, 1874. 

** Foster, Singapore, 1874. 

<* Johnstone, Hong Kong, 1874. 

** Robinson, Mauritius, 1875. 

** Greenfield, Lodiana, 1875. 

«« Thorn, Delhi, 1875. 

«• E. Sturrock, Peelton, 1875. 

" Eyre, 1876. 

" West, Lodiana, 1S77. 

" Deidrickson, Pekin, 1877. 

" Bland, Delhi, 1875. 

** Collas, Hakodate, Japan. 

•• Read, 

* At hoine. 

193 



WOMAN'S UNION MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 

ORIGIN OF SOCIETY. 

In 1834, ^^^ Rev. David Abeel presented to the women of 
the churches of New York, the deplorable condition of their 
heathen sisters, and stimulated them to organize a Society to work 
in their behalf. A similar effort had been previously made in 
England, and the " Society for the Promotion of Female Educa- 
tion in the East," still in existence, was the result. The Society 
in New York was abandoned at the urgent request of Church 
Boards. Mrs. T. C. Doremus was the moving spirit of this effort, 
having been interested in organized mission work since 1828, 
and its purpose was prayerfully cherished in her heart, during 
the quarter of a century that elapsed, before the organization of 
the Woman's Union Missionary Society, which may truly be said 
to be the visible fruit of the seed that had lain buried so many 
years. 

In i860, Mrs. Francis B. Mason, a missionary from Burmah, 
came to the Bible Society with the sad story of the wants and 
woes of heathen women, anxious to arouse American women to 
direct their energies in labors for them. During a visit in Boston, 
her earnest appeals resulted in the formation there of a society 
by nine ladies, in November, of that year, which subsequently 
became auxiliary to the New York Society incorporated Feb. 
1861. Mrs. T. C. Doremus was appointed its first President, 
194 



UNION. 195 

and never did any cause have a more loving heart and ready hand 
enlisted in its service. Already so well known as the missionary's 
friend, the union element in this work responded to the catholic 
spirit that had always animated her and afforded the frequent and 
well improved opportunity of doing loving service to the ministers 
of Christ for the Master's sake. Embracing all evangelical de- 
nominations of Christian women, who might work independently 
of Church Boards, its object was to form a direct channel whereby 
single women, untrammelled by the duties of wives and mothers,' 
might Christianize exclusively heathen women for whom no other 
mode of elevation was practicable. 

FIRST FIELD BURMAH. 

The field first selected was Toungoo, Burmah, where Miss 
Marston, the first missionary, was sent in November, 1861. In 
1864, Miss Marston was obliged, in consequence of failing health, 
to remove to Rangoon, where she took charge of a Burmese 
girls' school, already in successful operation. But in 1865, this 
change not producing the benefit hoped for, she returned to her 
native land. Two missionaries were subsequently sent to Bur- 
mah, — Miss S. J. Higby and Miss Le F^vr^, the former to labor 
among the Karens and the latter among the Burmans at Bassein. 
During the first year of the Society's existence, the support of 
four Bible Readers in India, China and Burmah, was given, and 
a lady in Japan was aided in her first efforts in teaching Japanese 
girls. 

CALCUTTA. 

In the spring of 1862, labors in Calcutta commenced by the 
employment of a highly educated Christian girl, Miss Gomez, 
as Bible Reader in hospitals. This was followed July ist, 1862, 
by the appointment of Miss H. G. Brittan as a teacher in the 



ic6 woman's missionary societies. 

Zejianas of Indiana name now almost a household word, but then 
as unknown in America as are its inmates to the eyes of strangers. 
Miss Brittan has been joined at various times by fifteen mission- 
aries from this country, while the work has been most effectively 
aided by the services of fifty other ladies employed on the field. 

The work in Calcutta centres about the Mission Home 
premises, purchased by the Society, fl'om which go forth daily 
the missionaries to the Zenanas and schools, thus reaching yearly 
an average of eight hundred pupils, with perhaps tenfold the 
number of listeners. Here, an orphanage has been established 
which has given to one hundred children the influences and train- 
ing of the Christian family; and here was organized the first 
child's hospital in India, under the supervision of Miss M. F. 
Seelye, M. D., whose early death brought deep sorrow to those 
who had witnessed with eager anticipations her consecration to 
her professional and missionary work. 

ALLAHABAD. 

In the spring of 1868, as an outgrowth of the work in Cal- 
cutta, a home w^as opened in Allahabad, and at a later date 
premises were bought. Here, under the successive supervision 
of Miss Wilson, Miss Hook, Miss Lathrop and Miss Ward, in- 
struction has been given in the Zenanas of Bengalis, Hindustanis 
and Mussulmans. In this field have been made available, with 
encouraging success, the services of girls educated in the Calcutta 
orphanage, who have developed into good. Christian teachers for 
the little native children here gathered into schools. To such a 
degree has the work here been prospered, that the Zenana work 
now equals in extent that of Calcutta. 

At Rajpore, a few miles from Calcutta, for some years our 
missionaries were quietly working ; and during the last year in 



UNION. 1 97 

answer to petitions sent, to do more for the educations of the girls, 
the work has been much enlarged and strengthened, the govern- 
ment having given ground for erecting mission premises. 

PEKING, CHINA. 

The selection of Peking, China, as a third mission station, was 
made, and Jan. 9, 1869, three missionaries, Mrs. Binney, Miss 
Domo and Miss Adams, were sent out. Six others have follow- 
ed them to this field ; and the slow work of instilling the truths 
of the Gospel into the minds of the Chinese, and helping them to 
throw off the shackles of old habits and superstition, is going on 
under the supervision of Miss Colburn and Miss Burnett, to whom 
has recently been sent Miss Kirkley. Not the least of the work 
accomplished in this most difficult field of labor has been the trans- 
lation and sending forth, by Miss North, one of our representa- 
tives, of some of our most effective tracts and Christian reading 
for the millions of this vast empire. 

SMYRNA. 

_n 1869, a school in Smyrna, taught by the Misses Siragan- 
lan, was adopted, and for several years supported. These ladies 
have been recently pursuing a course of medical instruction in 
this country to fit them for greater usefulness among their coun- 
trywomen. 

JAPAN — YOKOHAMA. 

In May, 1871, three missionaries, Mrs. S. Pruyn, Mrs. L. 
Pierson and Miss J. Crosby, went forth under the auspices of this 
Society to establish a Home at Yokohama, Japan. They went 
in the confidence that it was God's voice that called them, and 
"the work begun and prosecuted in Japan, stands out as a testi- 
mony for God, more than anything else that Christian loyalty has 



ig8 woman's missionary societies. 

planted there." Nine missionaries have, from time to time, been 
added to the number first sent out. In the school at the " Home," 
premises owned by the Society, fifty girls are laying broad and 
deep the foundations of a Christian education, while twelve are re- 
ceiving special instruction for Bible Readers ; and thus through 
the missionary and the native teacher there is ever going forth an 
influence which shall yet help to fire this island of the Pacific 
with the praises of the true God and of Christ His Son, 

GREECE ATHENS, CYPRUS. 

August 15, 1871, Miss M. Kyle commenced a work in Athens, 
co-operating with Dr. Kalapothakes. This effort was crowned 
with the success which the ability and the consecration of Miss 
Kyle warranted the expectation ; a success which ultimately prov- 
ed its overthrow, as exciting the jealousy of the Greek hierarchy, 
who peremptorily ordered the dismissal of the school. Mrs. 
Fluhart, who had joined Miss Kyle and had succeeded to the care 
of the school, then opened a new mission at Cyprus, where she is 
now endeavoring to establish the work. Four other ladies en- 
gaged on the ground aided in the work in Athens. 

SUMMARY. 

During the eighteen years ending Dec. 31, 1878, the Society 
has employed 92 missionaries, of whom 40 have been sent out 
from this country ; it has employed 165 native Bible Readers ; es- 
tablished and aided 76 schools ; supported and educated 256 girls 
by special gifts. Receipts in America, $494,912.29; receipts in 
Foreign lands, $66,000. 

In the prosecution of this Woman's Work for Women, the 
aid of Branches, Auxiliaries and Mission Bands, springing up all 
over our land, has been give/i. In Boston, Philadelphia, Albany, 



UNION. 199 

Cincinnati, Chicago, Louisville, St. Louis and many another place, 
noble work has been done by Christian women, much of it by con- 
secrated, individual effort. The Mission Bands which have gath- 
ered in a large army of youthful helpers, have given a new im- 
pulse to mission work, which we hope will be perpetuated till the 
earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord. 

In giving this sketch of the origin and growth of the Woman's 
Union Missionary Society, it is important that it be not measured 
by the work of any similar Society. For, firsts as contributions 
to denominational Boards were not to be diverted, support could 
only be expected from individual effort ; second^ as no paid officers 
were employed, the interests of this cause have been sustained by 
many, who could only devote such time and strength as personal 
duties permitted. 

The Union Society has held the position of a young, inex- 
perienced being, who, seeking to fulfil his responsibilities in God's 
service, carves out His life work alone, step by step, struggling 
amid many hindrances and discouragements. This labor of love 
God has owned in a peculiar manner, and not the least of its fruits 
has been the outgrowth of the '' Women's Boards," whose praise 
is in all the churches. Among the special reasons commending 
the Woman's Union Missionary Society are : — 

I St. It opened a way and established a precedent in mission 
work which, from the first, God has wonderfully blessed, preserv- 
ed, and prospered. 

2d. It seeks literally nothing but the spread of Jesus' name 
and the enlightenment and blessing to woman which ever follows 
the knowledge of His name. 

3d. It occupies fields, and has achieved some of its largest 
success, where no one denomination in this country could gain an 
entrance. 



200 woman's missionary societies. 

4tli. It represents every evangelical denomination, and its 
foreign property has been the donation of them all, for one com* 
mon purpose. 

5th. It was commenced and has been carried on by volun 
tary workers and unsalaried officers — a free-will offering of love. 



UNION. 201 



Woman's Union Missionary Society, 1879-83. 

Our work abroad has taken many forward steps during these 
four years. Among the most prominent stands the establishment 
of work at 

CAWNPORE, INDIA. 

Upon Miss Ward^s return to India, October, 1879, after a sum- 
mer of rest in this country, she, with Miss Gardner, opened a new 
station at this historic point, and the work has grown apace. In 
addition to zenana teaching and schools, among which over four 
hundred pupils are instructed, peculiar forms of labor have arisen 
in response to the loving zeal of the workers. 

At the ghats^ or bathing-places for women, the missionaries, 
twice each week, talk and sing to the hundreds who gather about 
them, distributing Bengali tracts, and illustrating their songs and 
stories by pictures of Bible scenes, thus literally sowing seed beside 
the waters. 

In the jail, many lonely hearts are touched by the story of for- 
giving love which our missionaries carry to them ; and among the 
sick and suffering women in the hospitals, the same story of the 
Great Healer is told from week to week, and sin-sick souls are 
made whole in Him. 

Our mission at Peking was removed in September, 1881, to 

SHANGHAI, CHINA, 

where property left us years ago by Mrs. Bridgman has at length 
fallen into our hands. No sooner were the ladies started in their 
new home than Miss Colburn, their head, was fatally attacked by 
fever. Her two co-workers, after a visit to this country for needed 
rest, returned to Shanghai, October, 1882 ; and Mrs. Pruyn, for- 



202 WOMAN S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 

merly stationed in Japan, was led to join them. She gave two 
years to the development of this mission. We are hoping soon to 
found a hospital in connection with it. 

The large increase in number and success of Sunday schools 
in all our stations is a marked feature during these later years. 

At home the year 1882 has been a memorable one, as it 
marked the attainment of our "majority." In commemoration of 
twenty-one years of labor, all our friends were summoned to the 
anniversary in February. Two precious days were spent in "re- 
counting the mercies,'^ expressions of thanks, and songs of praise 
that "thus far the Lord has led us on." Previous to this, a call 
was issued for "memorial gifts," resulting in the sum of nearly 
$10,000, given mainly in small sums and from all parts of the 
country, with which to equip new workers and strengthen our sta- 
tions in India. 

A generous legacy, four times larger than any ever before 
received, has also marked the year, and we are encouraged to press 
on in this blessed endeavor. 

The Society has sustained loi missionaries in 12 different sta- 
tions, of whom 43 were sent from America, and 58 were supported 
on the field. It has sustained or aided 84 schools; has supported 
174 Bible-readers and 278 children. It has sent contributions to 
aid the work in 62 outside stations: of which in India, 15 ; in 
Burmah, 6 ; in China, 13 ; in Siam, i ; in Syria, 6 ; in Turkey, 7 ; 
in Japan, 2 ; in Africa, 6 ; in Mexico, 4; in California, i; in Paris, i. 

The aggregate amount of receipts from the formation of the 
Society in 1861 to Dec. 31, 1882, is $741,939.19. 

The total value of property in all foreign stations amounts to 
$40,000. 



Missionaries of the Union Missionary Society. 



Appointed. 


Name. 


Field. 


Remarks. 


Oct. 


28, 1861. 


Miss S. H. Marston. 


Burmah 


, Tounghoo. 


Returned; in this country. 


Nov. 


9, 1867. 


•• S. J. Higby. 


(( 


Bassein. 


Baptist Mission, Rangoon. 


Feb. 


10, 1869. 


" S. S. LeFevre. 


(( 


'* 


Returned; in this country. 
Methodist Protestant Mission. 


May 


21, 1863. 


" H. G. Brittan. 


India,* 


Calcutta. 


Sept. 


18, 1865. 


** M. Nottingham. 


t( 


«* 


Married in India. 


Oct. 


9, 1867. 


" M. Wilson. 


(C 


Allahabad. 


Deceased. 


Sept. 


11, 1867. 


'* L. M. Hook. 


<l 


Calcutta. 


On the field. 


♦• 


(< tt 


** C. Norris. 


f ( 


a 


Deceased. 


April 


13, 1870. 


" G. R. Ward. 


« 


Cawnpore. 


On the field. 


»* 


«« it 


" M. Lathrop. 


« 


Allahabad. 


** 


Sept. 
Feb. 


xo, 1870. 


" E. Chase. 


« 


Calcutta. 


Deceased. 


9, 1870. 


" M. Butler. 


« 


*< 


Married. ^ 


Dec. 


14, 1870. 


" S. C. Seward. 


t* 


Allahabad. 


Presbyterian Mission. 


Jan. 


16, 1871. 


" E. M. Guthrie. 


<( 


ti 


Deceased. 




1871. 


** Seelye, M.D. 


<< 


Calcutta. 


" 


Sept. 


16, 1874. 


" E. G. Marston. 


(( 


(( 


On the field. 


M 


<( ft 


" J. Kimball. 


ft 


ft 


Returned. 


<< 


22, *• 


*' E. L. Woodward. 


it 


ft 


** 


Oct. 


16, 1876. 


" A. A. Jones. 


it 


Allahabad. 


Married. 


Sept., 


1879. 


'« S. F. Gardner. 


tt 


Cawnpore. 


On the field. 


Sept. 


9, 1868. 


Mrs. C. V. R. Bonney. 


China, 


Peking. 


Retired. 


Nov. 


II, 1868. 


Miss D. M. Douw. 


ft 


it 


In this country. 


Dec. 


2, 1868. 


" A. Adams. 


it 


tt 


Married. 


Jan. 
Feb. 


12, 1870. 


" M. B. North. 


tt 


tt 


Returned; ill health. 


9, 1870. 


Mrs. L. E. C. Starr. 


tt 


tt 


Deceased. 


Sept. 


10, 1873. 


" M. T. True. 


it 


tt 


Presbyterian Mission, Japan. 


Feb. 


10, 1875. 


Miss M. K. Colbum. 


ti 


(f 


Deceased. 


(1 


(( <4 


" M. A. Burnett. 


tt 


ft 


On the field. 


ft 


1878. 


«* A. E. Kirkby. 


it 


if 


" 


** 


6, 1871. 


Mrs. M. Pruyn. 


Japan, 


Yokohama.t 


Transferred to Shanghai. 


March 


8, 1871. 


MissJ. N.Crosby. 




*• 


On the field. 


♦* 


44 it 


Mrs. L. H. Pierson. 


It 


ft 


(( 


June 


II, 1873. 


«' L. E. Benton. 


it 


it 


Married. 


Sept. 


16, 1874. 


MissA.V. M.Maltby. 


it 


tt 


ii 


May 


13) 1876. 


'* Sophia B. McNeal. 


it 


ft 


Returned. 


July 


17, 1877. 


Mrs. Annie Viel^. 


tt 


if 


On the field. 


ti 


Miss Nannie Fletcher. 


it 


ff 




it 


f« {( 


" Mary Nelson. 


tt 


it 


Married. 


Tune 
March 


14, 1871. 


" M. Kyle. 


Greece, 


Athens.$ 


<< 


10, 1875. 


Mrs. S. T. Fluhart. 


«' 


«* 


C>T)rus. 






Miss Bella Leybum. 


ft 


it 


In this country. 






** N. Dawson. 


ct 


ft 


'* 






« J. Thatcher. ^ 


(( 


it 


On the field. 






** Anna Siraganian, ) 


Smyrna 




Under other auspices. 






♦* Oba Siraganian, ) 


ti 




ti it 



* Besides these named, there have been employed on the India field, 50 ladies — English and 
Eurasian — devoted Christian women and efficient missionaries, 
t One lady was employed on the Japan field. 
t On this field, four assistants have been employed. 



203 



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Periodicals of Woman's Missionary Societies. 

FEMALE MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCER. 

Published by Society for Promoting Female Education in the East. 
Address Miss Webb, 267 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, England. 

MISSIONARY LINK. 

Published by Woman's Union Missionary Society. Price, 50 cents. 
Address, Miss Doremus, 47 East 21st St., New York, N. Y. 

LIFE AND LIGHT. 

Published by Woman's Boards of Missions. Price, 60 cents. Address, 
Room No. I , Congregational Building, Boston, and Miss Pollock, 75 
Madison St., Chicago, 111. 

HEATHEN WOMAN'S FRIEND. 

Published by Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. Price, 50 cents. 
Address, Miss Walden, ^8 Bromfield St., Boston, Mass. 

WOMAN'S WORK FOR WOMAN. 

Published by Woman's Presbyterian Board of Missions. Price, 60 
cents. Address, Mrs. Massey, 1334 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, and 
Mrs. Laflin, 48 McCormick Block, Chicago, 111. 

OUR MISSION FIELD. 

Published by Ladies' Board of Mission. Price, 50 cents. Address, 
Miss Mary Parsons, Rye, N. Y. 

HELPING HAND. 

Published by Woman's Baptist Missionary Society, Boston, and Woman's 
Baptist Missionary Society of the West. Price, 40 cents. Address, 
W. G. Corthell, Tremont Temple, Boston, or Mrs. Brayman, 78 12th 
St., Chicago, 111. 

MISSIONARY HELPER. 

Published by Free Baptist Woman's Missionary Society. Price, 50 cents. 
Address, Mrs. Brewster, 91 Smith St., Providence R. I. 

WOMAN'S MISSIONARY ADVOCATE. 

Published by Woman's Missionary Society of M. E. Church South. 
Price, 50 cents. Address, Mrs. D. H. McGavock, Nashville, Tenn. 

WOMAN'S EVANGEL. 
Published by Woman's Missionary Association of the United Brethren in 
Christ. Price, 75 cents. Address, Mrs. L. R. Keister, Dayton, Ohio. 



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